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HISTORICAL DISCOURSE, . **^ 



DELIVERED AT 



BROOKFIELD, MASS. 

NOV. 27, 1828, 




THE DAT OF THE 



ANNUAL THANKSGIVING. 



BY JOSEPH I. FOOT, 

rABTOn op the rlRST CHURCH IN BROOKFIELD. 



" Inasmuch as this town is of ancient date, and, compared with most of the Towns in 
this County, even with the shire Town itself, is like an elder matron amidst a 
group of youngerly Females; and inasmuch as it has been famous for Indian in~ 
habitants, Indian wars and Indian barbarities, I have for a considerable time felt a 
strong inclination and desire to search into its history — to find out its origin — the 
difficulties and hardships of its first English Inhabitants, its gradual increase and 
progressive improvements." Rev. Dr. Fiske's Hist. Serm. 1775. 



PUBLISHED BY REQUEST. 



-o^^- 



BROOKFIEL.D: 

PRINTED BY E. AND G. MERRIAM. 

MDCCCXXIX. 









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HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



Psalm cxlv. 4. 

One generation shall praise thy works to another 
and shall declare thy mighty acts. 

TO perpetuate a knowledge of the dealings of 
God with us is equally the dictate of patriotism 
and religion. No one, who loves his country, can 
meditate on the favours, which have been poured 
upon her, without desiring, that they may be ac- 
curately told to future generations. No one, who 
loves the Lord, can think on his kind care and ever 
watchful protection without feeling, that his inter- 
positions should be held in grateful and everlasting 
remembrance. Under the combined influence of 
these feelings a venerable monarch of Israel said, 
" Give ear, O my people, to my law, incline your 
ears to the words of my mouth. I will utter dark 
sayings of old, which we have heard and known 
and our fathers have told us, we will not hide them 
from their children, shewing to the generation to 
come the praises of the Lord and his strength and 
his wonderful works, that he hath done ; that the 
generation to come might know them, even the 
children, that should be born, who should arise 
and declare them to their children, that they might 
set their hope in God and not forget the works of 
God, but keep his commandments."* 

* Ps. Ixxviii. 



*#t 



But whilst national blessings ought 
fully remembered, it is equally important, that par- 
ticular favours should not be forgotten. Perhaps 
no other historical facts are capable of exciting in 
•us so deep an interest, as those which respect our 
own ancestors and the place of our residence. It 
is, then, desirable to trace their history from their 
first settlement in this place to the present time, 
to know their trials, and sufferings, to call to mind 
early interpositions for their protection, and to tell 
to the rising generation the story of the toils, 
which they endured ; of the miseries, to which 
they were exposed ; and of the peculiar favours, 
which they received at the hand of the Lord. 

This place was originally the residence of In- 
dians. These ponds and brooks and hills and 
plains were calculated to attract the attention of 
the sons of the forest and to supply them with 
the necessaries of life. Here they kindled their 
fires and pursued their game. The earliest no- 
tice, which I have found of them is dated in 1648. 
At this time they were divided into several small 
and independent factions, called the Quaboag In- 
dians and governed by Quacunquasit and other 
Sachems.* Their residence for the most part was 
west and north of Wickaboag pond, extending up 
the borders of the stream far into New Braintree. 
This was the " chief seat"! of the Nipmucj In- 
dians, a tribe occupying the territory between the 
Connecticut river and the eastern line of Worces- 
ter county, and extending southward nearly twen- 
ty miles into the state of Connecticut. 

In 1660 several inhabitants of Ipswich obtained 



* See Appendix, A. f Hubbard Ind. Wars, p. 111. 

JSometinies written Niprnug and also Nipnet. 



in this place of six miles square on 
the cunuiu UU , -hat they should have twenty fami- 
lies resident here within three years, an able min- 
ister settled within the said term and provision 
made for his future support* 

At what time the English settlement began is 
uncertain. Some have supposed, that " small be- 
ginnings were made here" previously to the 
grant. f From the conditions of this article it is 
probable, that the place began to be occupied by 
English residents as early as the 3^ear lGtJO.J 
The first inhabitants came into the bosom of an 
extensive wilderness. Marlborough was the near- 
est settlement on the east ; Springfield and North- 
ampton on the west. Thus remote from those, 
who would assist them in an hour of trial, and re- 
lying on the arm of the Almighty for protection, 
they began to remove the forest and cultivate the 
soil. They lived in harmony with the natives by 
whom they were thickly surrounded, and on the 
10th of November 1665, fairly purchased the land 
of Shattoocquis, who claimed to be " the sole and 
proper owner.''§ The inhabitants gradually in- 
creased, and in October 1673, were incorporated 
as a town, which was called Brookneld.|| 

Previously to lb*75, a part of the Nipmuc Indians 
had been controlled chiefly by Philip. In this year 
he extended his influence over the whole. And 
when this sagacious and patriotic king saw the 
English gradually and rapidly extend their settle- 
ments over the land, and daily increase in numbers 
and in power ; he knew, that if they were suffered 



* See Appendix, B. f Dr. Fiske. 

} The earliest English settlement in the county of Worcester was at Lan- 
caster in 1643 ; the next at Brookneld probably in 1 GOO ; the third at Mendon 
• § See Appendix C. , || See Appendix U. 



6 

to advance without restraint, they 
the face of the country and exclude the heirs of 
the soil from the fields, the hunting grounds and 
the graves of their fathers. Under the influence 
of these gloomy prospects his undaunted mind 
conceived the plan of exterminating the English, 
or driving them from the country.* He infused 
his spirit into all the natives over whom he had in- 
fluence. On the 14th of Julyf 1675, some of the 
Nipmucs in the neighbourhood of Philip's territo- 
ry murdered four or five of the inhabitants of Men- 
don. This is said to have been the first injury ever 
committed by the Indians against the English of 
the ancient colony of Massachusetts. Messengers 
were immediately sent by the government to as- 
certain the disposition of the Nipmucs, and indi- 
cations of their inclination to join the confederacy 
fo** the destruction of the English were discovered. 
The Indians, however, professed a desire to re- 
main at peace ; and the 2d ot August was appoint- 
ed as a day for making a treaty 4 

Such was the condition of the first inhabitants of 
this place at the beginning of the most formidable 
contest, that New England ever sustained. They 
were few. The number of families probably did 
not exceed twenty. Nearly 30 miles distant from 
any English settlement, and from any individual, 
who would give them protection, they were sur- 
rounded by treacherous and powerful and merci- 
less enemies. They confidently expected, that on 
the arrival of the appointed day articles of stipula- 
tion would be mutually adopted and inviolably ob- 
served. A place for the meeting of the contract- 



* See Appendix, E. 

t Old Style. This must be remembered in each date previous to 1752. 
| See Appendix E. 2. 



ing parties was agreed upon.* Captain Hutchin- 
son, who had been appointed by the governor and 
council to form the treaty, arrived with twenty 
horsemen. On the second of August some of the 
principal inhabitants accompanied them, unarmed, 
to the hill near the north end of Wickaboag pond, 
where they had promised to meet the Indians, but 
the latter had not arrived. They advanced up 
the valley towards the " principal rendezvous" of 
the Nativesf, and as they were passing between 
a steep hill on the one side and a swamp on the 
other, they were assailed by the Indians, eight of 
the company were killed and three mortally wound- 
ed. Amongst the latter was C apt. Hutchinson. Those 
who survived, returned by a circuitous route to the 
town, because they were informed by friendly In- 
dians in their company, that according to the cus- 
toms of savage warfare, the path in which they had 
come would V»f> found thickly lined by enemies 
ready to cut off those, who escaped the fury of 
the onset. The inhabitants collected into one 
house4 This they fortified in the best manner, 
which the emergency of the case would permit. 
The Indians rushed in upon the town and set fire 
to most of the buildings. Suddenly about twenty 
houses with their barns were consumed. They 
next assailed the fortified house. In addition to an 
almost constant discharge of balls against it during 
nearly three days, numerous attempts were made 
to set it on fire. At length they loaded a cart with 
hemp, flax, and other combustible matter, and 
having joined together several long poles, they at- 
tached them to the cart and endeavoured to propel 
it against the fortification. But a signal and timely 
and almost incredible dispensation of Providence 

* See Appendix F. fSee Appendix G. J See Appendix H. 



delivered our ancestors from sudden death. A 
cloud arose and the rain descended so violently as 
to extinguish the fire,* At length Major Willard, 
who had been sent westward from Lancaster on 
some other expedition, learned the condition of the 
inhabitants, and with 48 horsemen hastened to their 
relief. The Indian centin els fired their "alarm 
guns,' ' but they were not heard by those, who 
were investing the fortification. Late at night on 
the fourth of August he arrived. Even the cattle 
seemed to rejoice at his coming, and to hail him 
as their deliverer. " In their fright at the conflagra- 
tion of the buildings and the firing and war whoops 
of the Indians these poor animals" hastened to the 
troop " for protection and followed them till they 
arrived at the besieged house." The noise of the 
cattle led the Indians to suppose, that the number 
of men, who had newly arrived, was very great. 
They therefore set fire immediately to the meeting 
house and to the only other house and barn, which 
they had reserved and hastened away. 

As soon as the distress of the inhabitants be- 
came known, soldiers arrived from all quarters. A 
company under Captain Watts from Hartford, " a 
band under Lieutenant Cooper of Springfield, and 
others from the county of Essex under Captains 
Lathropf and Beerst and in conjunction marched as 
far as Meminimesset, but found no trace of the 
Indians. The reason of their sudden departure, 



* Hubbard, Mather, Hutchinson. 

| Captain Lathrop and his company of 70 young men " the flower of Essex" 
fell into an ambushment of Indians at a brook in South Deerfield, now called 
Bloody Brook, and excepting seven or eight, were suddenly destroyed on the 
18th of September 1675. 

t Early in the month of September Captain Beers was sent from Hadley to 
convey provisions to a garrison in Northfield. At a distance of about two miles 
irom the garrison he was attacked by a large body of Indians. Of the 36 men, 
whoformed his company twenty were slain, amongst whom was the Captain 

See Hoyt's History of Indian Wars. 



9 

was their defeat on the night of the 4th of August 
and the arrival of Philip* on the evening of the -Hh, 
who persuaded them to join him in an expedition 
against the towns on the Connecticut. Most of 
the troops proceeded to Hadley, for the purpose of 
protecting the infant settlements in that neighbour- 
hood. " A garrison was maintained here till winter 
when the Court ordered the people away."f Two 
of the principal Indians, who devised and directed 
the attack on this place were afterwards appre- 
hended, tried for a violation of their agreement 
with the English and their assault on Captain 
Hutchinson, and were executed in Boston on the 
26th of September, 1676. These were Sam, Sa- 
chem of Weshakim, (Lancaster) and Neatump, 
Sachem of Quaboag (Brookfield.)t 

It was a long time before the inhabitants dared 
to return. They were reluctant again to expose 
themselves to the fury of thftir enemies. Their 
farms remained uncultivated, and their dwellings 
a ruin. After ten or twelve years a few of the dis- 
persed came back and began to re-settle the town.§ 
Others joined them. In 1692 the inhabitants were 
sufficiently numerous to petition the General Court 
for the appointment of a committee " as formerly to 
direct and regulate the settlement of the planta- 
tion and the officers thereof" Their request was 
granted and a committee appointed. || Various 
measures were now adopted by the people for mu- 
tual protection and defence ;^[ but owing to the 
frequent incursions of the Indians and to the nu- 
merous injuries and murders committed by them, 
the progress of the settlement was slow. 

* See Appendix I. t Dr. Fiske. 

X Hubbard Indian Wars, pp. 111. & 202. Neatump, probably the same a» 
Mawtanips in Appendix I. § See Appendix J. 

|| See Appendix L. 1F See Appendix M. 

2 



10 
Of the events which occurred from 1692 to 1710 
little is now known. The inhabitants were, how- 
ever, constantly exposed to attacks from the hostile 
partis that roved around them Many mdmdu- 
als were cruelly murdered. Some were earned 
into captivity,* yet the town was not abandoned 
Amidst all these discouragements the population 

gradually increased. , 

Previously to the dispersion of the inhabitants 
in 1675, a meeting house had been built, and pub- 
lic worship regularly attended. Though froni the 
general customs of the "first settlers in New Eng- 
land," we may be inclined to believe, that a church 
was gathered, and a minister ordained, yet we have 
no evidence, that either was done. No records of 
that period have come down to us ; and though an 
obscure tradition remains respecting a church and 
a « settled minister," I cannot find sufficient 
grounds to warrant us in regarding it as true. Tra- 
dition also relates, that Mr. Thomas James preach- 
ed the first sermon in this town.f Previously to 
1713, a Mr. Smith* had been employed here as a 
minister. In 1715 Mr. Elmer,§ who had been for 
some time " carrying on the work of the ministry" 
here, and partly supported by the General Court, || 
left the town, and was succeeded by Mr. Thomas 
Cheney. In November of the same year the in- 
habitants agreed to build a meeting house.lf The 
committee appointed by the Legislature " to regu- 
late the settlement of the plantation" ordered, that 
it should " be set up and erected" on the spot 
where the first meeting house stood. 

* See Appendix N. 

f Reverend Thomas James a native of England, Minister ©f Charlestown, 
Mass. and afterwards a Missionary at East Hampton, L. I. 
J Possibly Reverend Joseph Smith, Harvard University 1696. 
§ Reverend Daniel Elmer. He was graduated at Yale College 1713. 
|| See Appendix 0. H See Appendix P. 



11 

Thus forty years after their first sanctuary had 
been consumed by fire, our ancestors gathered 
stre ngth to build another house for the worship 
of Jehovah. On the 5th of April, 1716, Mr. Che- 
ney was invited to become their minister.* And 
on the 16th of October 1717, this church was or- 
ganized, and Mr. Cheney was solemnly constitut- 
ed its Pastor, f 

Soon after this event, the committee of supervi- 
sion reported to the General Court, that after " va- 
rious disappointments by war and otherwise," the 
people " by the good providence of God" are in- 
creased to nearly fifty families, have almost com- 
pleted a very convenient meeting house, have set- 
tled a church, and ordained an orthodox and learn- 
ed minister. The committee, therefore, requested 
to be released from any further supervision of the 
inhabitants, and proposed, that they be invested 
with all the privileges of a town.t 

After this time nothing occurred to hinder the 
prosperity of the place, and the population rapid- 
ly increased. In the year 1741, the south western 
corner of Brookfield, with parts of other towns, 
was incorporated and called Western. 

In 1748, the inhabitants of the north eastern 
part of the town obtained a permission to become 
a distinct society§ and were incorporated by the 
General Court, as the second parish in Brookfield, 
March 29th 1750. This parish became a Town in 
1812, and received the name of North Brookfield. 

A division soon arose in the first parish respect- 
ing the location of the meeting house. As it had 



* See Appendix Q 

t The discourse preached on this occasion was printed, and is entitled, "The 
duty of GOSPEL MINISTERS to preserve a PEOPLE from CORRUPTION, 
set forth in a sermon, preached at Brookfield, October 16, 1717, being the day 
wherein the Church was gathered, and Mr. THOMAS CHENEY was ordain- 
ed Pastor, By SOLOMON STODDARD, A. M. and Pastor of Northampton," 

! Appendix R. § See Appendix S. 



12 



become necessary to erect a new one, the inhab 
tants of the present First Parish desired that it 
should be built either on the spot where we are 
now assembled, or in the place where the first and 
second stood. Those of the present South Parish 
were determined, that it should be located where 
he r meeting house now stands. The controver- 
sy was warm and even violent ; at length they se- 
parated, and Nov. 8, 1754, a third parish was in- 

C Tnre1hisperiodaMethodist Society has been 
collected , in the north western part of the * irst 
Parish. There have also been formed m the 
Third Parish a Baptist, a Universalis^ a Metho- 
dist and an Evangelical Society. Thus exclusive 
of a large part of Western and small portions ot 
New Braintree and Ware, the ancient town ot 
Brookfield is divided into two distinct towns, eight 
religious societies, and in lb-20 contained 3387 in- 
habitants At the same census the population of 
Brookfield was -2292. It is gradually increasing. 
The inhabitants have generally felt a deep interest 
in public measures and occasionally exhibited spe- 
cimens of ardent and generous patriotism.* The 
means of common education are universally enjoy- 
ed, and several of our youth have received the 
advantages of public literary Institutions. fOf these 
some have been distinguished in their respective 
professions. 

Having now drawn an outline of our history, I 
will go back and relate some of the dispensations 
of God with this church. Its first pastor^ died 
on the 11th of December 1747. About this time a 

* See Appendix T. f See Appendix U. i See Appendix V. 



13 

considerable number of our members were dis- 
missed to constitute the church in Western. He 
was succeeded by Reverend Elisha Harding,* who 
was ordained September 13th, 1749, and dismissed 
May f^th, 1^55. In this period another portion of 
our members were regularly dismissed, formed 
into a distinct ecclesiastical body, and denominated 
the second church in Brookfield. »Soon after his 
dismission a fourth portion of our members obtain- 
ed letters of dismission and recommendation, and 
were constituted the third Church. Thus from 
this church three distinct congregational churches 
have been formed. Mr. Harding was succeeded 
by Reverend Joseph Parsons. f He was ordained 
November 3d, 1757, and died January 17, 1771. 
Reverend Ephraim WardJ was ordained October 
23, 1771, and died February 9th 1S18. Reverend 
Eliakim Phelps§ was ordained as colleague with 
Mr. Ward October i3d, 1816, and dismissed Octo- 
ber 25th, 1826. On the same day 1 was installed 
as your pastor, [| 

The Reverend Eli Forbes, D. D.^[ was ordained 
pastor of the second church June 3d, 1752 and was 
dismissed March 1st, 1775. Reverend Joseph Ap- 
pleton** was ordained October 30, 1776, and died 
July 25th, 1795. Reverend Thomas Snell,ft I>. 
D. was ordained June 27, 1798. 

The Reverend Nathan Fiske,tt D D.was ordain- 
ed pastor of the third church May 24th, 1758, and 
died November Mth, 1799. He was succeeded by 
the Reverend Micah Stone§§ who was ordained 
March 11th, 1801. His civil contract with the 
society was dissolved in April, 1827. He remains 
pastor of the Church. This is now connected 



* See Appendix V 2. fSee Appendix V 3. J See Appendix V 4 

§ See Appendix V 5. || See Appendix V 6. IT See Appendix W* 

** See Appendix W 2. tt See Appendix W 3. \\ See Appendix X. 
§§ Appendix X 2. 



14 

with a new Society denominated " The Evangel- 
ical Society in South Brookfield." 

Reverend George R. Noyes* was ordained 
October 31st, 1827. Though a majority of the 
society voted for his settlement, only two male 
members of the church adhered to the Parish. 

Reverend Laban Thurberf was ordained over 
the Baptist Society in 1801 and closed his minis- 
try in 1805. 

Reverend John Chase \ was ordained pastor 
of the Church June 9th 1818. 

Thus I have given you an account of the origin 
of this Church and have shewn, that from small 
beginnings it has increased and " broke forth on 
every side." It was early planted by the hand of 
the Almighty. It has taken deep root and widely 
extended its branches. Of those pastors, who have 
finished their mortal career we may freely speak. 

And with devout thankfulness* we acknowl- 
edge, that they were " Scribes well instructed." 
They believed and taught the existence of 
God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They re- 
garded the Scriptures as a divine revelation of the 
character of God, and of the character, duty, and 
destiny of man. They believed, and taught that 
men are alienated from God, and constantly inclin- 
ed to iniquity ; that the "Word was God ;" that he 
" became flesh," suffered and died a "sin offering" 
for us ; that the Holy Spirit convinces men of sin, 
and causes them to become " new creatures," that 
repentance and faith are necessary to salvation, 
that there will be a resurrection both of the just 
and of the unjust ; a judgment, and an eternity of 
happiness and misery. These truths formed the 
outline of their system, guided their opinions, and 

* See Appendix Y. + See Appendix Z. \ See Appendix Z 



15 

gave shape to their characters. Hence they did 
not hesitate to declare the whole counsel of God. 
This they presented to the understandings of their 
hearers and urged it home upon their consciences 
and hearts. They did not fear to lift up their 
voice and cry aloud and warn men of their danger. 
They were friends of God and of revivals. They 
were adorers of our Lord Jesus Christ ; and were 
it possible for some of them in their cold habita- 
tions to hear the misstatements, which modern 
liberality has made respecting them ; O were it 
possible for them to hear these misstatements and 
to know how the influence of their respected me- 
mory is used to promote the cause of error : then 
might we expect, that their venerated forms would 
break forth from their graves and repeat the truths, 
which once fell from their lips. 

These churches have been favoured not'only with 
faithful pastors, but also with the special influen- 
ces of the Holy Spirit. With one exception they 
have enjoyed repeated seasons of revival. And it 
is worthy of notice that the present union and har- 
mony of each society is nearly proportionate to the 
number and extent of the revivals, with which it has 
been blessed. The third parish* never enjoyed 
this inestimable favour, and it is divided into five 
distinct societies. The second society! has more 
than once been watered with a shower of Divine 
grace, and there a commendable degree of union 
and harmony have ever been found. No new so- 
ciety has been formed within their boundaries. 

In the first society these sacred seasons have 
been frequent. The earliest was previous to 1747, 
and evidently resulted from the labors of the Rev- 
erend George Whitfield. The next was in 1780, 



* South Pariah, f Now North BrookficW. 



16 

early in the ministry of the Reverend Mr. Ward. 
The third was in lb06. The precise number of ad- 
missions to the communion in these revivals, 1 have 
not been able to learn. The fourth was in 1814, 
and about sixty were then added to the church. 
The society still feels the influence of these sacred 
seasons and of the venerable man, whose ministry 
for nearly half a century was crowned with peace 
and success. At the time of his death the church 
consisted of two hundred and eighteen members. 
During the ministry of his successor the Lordagain 
visited this congregation and many were moved "to 
work out their salvation with fear and trembling." 
From December, 1818, to September, 1819, one 
hundred and twelve individuals were permitted " to 
enter into covenant with Jehovah" and to receive 
the memorials of the body, which was broken, and 
the blood, that was shed for the remission of sin. 
The church at the time of his dismission consisted 
of 298 members. Since that time the Lord has 
continued to bless us. His Spirit has descended 
like rain on the mown grass, and as showers that 
water the plain. From January, 1827, to the present 
time ninety five persons have been admitted to the 
church, and many, whose residence with us was 
only temporary, have submitted to the dominion 
of Christ, and united with churches in the places 
of their permanent abode. The number, who ap- 
pear to have been deeply and permanently affect- 
ed in this revival is about one hundred and fifty. 
This church now contains 376 members. Of these 
132 are males, and 244 are females. To the re- 
peated revivals which we have enjoyed it is owing, 
that union and harmony prevail. To these it is 
owing, that on the sabbath these sacred walls are 
filled with attentive hearers, and the table of the 
Lord surrounded by so many communicants. 



17 

From them it results, that the chamber of dis- 
ease is so often found to be full of consolation, and 
death is frequently regarded only as an entrance 
into a state of interminable delight For these glo- 
rious seasons we would here stop and record our 
devout gratitude, and if we ever forget to pray for 
their return, let our right hands forget their cunning, 
and our tongues cleave to the roof of our mouths, 

I have now given you a sketch of the events, 
which have specially affected this place from the 
time of its settlement to this day. However insig- 
nificant they may be in comparison with the histo- 
ry of states and empires yet their bearing on our 
privileges and characters and destiny has been 
equally important with that of any other occurren- 
ces within the circle of our knowledge. They 
have been instrumental in giving form to the cir- 
cumstances of our birth, of our early education, of 
our intellectual and moral improvement. They are 
the dispensations of Jehovah not with the whole 
family of man nor with a single nation, but with 
us. Whilst the same unseen hand has been " work- 
ing wonders" for the inhabitants of every other 
part of the earth, giving them occasion to think on 
his goodness and to be grateful for his care ; we 
ought to cherish a lively remembrance of those 
deeds by which our peace and prosperity have 
been procured. So far as we are concerned, they 
deserve to be commemorated. It is our duty to 
tell them to the successors of those, who endured 
numerous trials and obtained signal deliverance. 
It is our duty to commemorate the interpositions, 
by which our ancestors were rescued from the 
power of those, who sought their lives. It is our 
duty to examine the dispensations by which we 
have been brought to our present condition ; and 
gratefully to tell them to the rising generation. 

3 



18 

These " are the Lord's doings and they are mar- 
vellous in our eyes." They are calculated to affect 
our hearts and to influence us to fear him, who 
rules in heaven above and does his good pleasure 
amongst the children of men. He " has given 
you a land for which ye did not labour, and houses 
which ye built not, and ye dwell in them. Of the 
vineyards and olive yards which ye planted not, 
do ye eat ; now therefore serve him in sincerity 
and truth." 

But whilst these facts are calculated to excite 
our gratitude and to fill our minds with adoring 
views of our heavenly Father, they also furnish 
lessons of important instruction. Here we may 
learn what characteristics are necessary to success 
in laying the foundations and raising the super- 
structure of society. We may understand, that this 
honor is not awarded to the irresolute, the profane, 
the intemperate, or the despisers of religion ; but to 
men of fixed purpose, of persevering industry, of 
irreproachable integrity, and of strong attachment 
to the institutions of the Gospel. In the history 
of our ancestors, you every where find the opera- 
tion of these principles. What but firmness could 
have retained them in the midst of a wilderness, 
rendered awfully dreary by remoteness from friends 
and constant exposure to injuries and death from 
the hands of those, whose tender mercies are cru- 
elty ? What but integrity could have induced them 
fairly to purchase of the natives, the lands on which 
ye dwell ? What but persevering industry could 
have subdued the forest, cultivated the plains, and 
crowned the hills with plenty ? What but an ardent 
attachment to the institutions of religion could have 
impelled them amidst their earliest labors and in 
their low estate to rear a house for the worship of 
Jehovah ; and when flames kindled by a hostile hand 



19 

laid their sanctuary in ruins, what but an unabated 
zeal for the interests of Zion urged them again 
to erect a building for God and liberally to provide 
for the continuance of the ministry amongst them? 
Such were the characteristics of those whom Heav- 
en selected to lay the foundations of our Institutions. 
The instrumentality of "just men, fearing God, 
hating covetousness" and ready to endure priva- 
tions and hardships for sake of the truth and right- 
eousness He ever delights to employ and to bless. 
Our history also invites us to consider the rela- 
tion, which we sustain to others. In looking back 
on the lives of our ancestors we admire their firm- 
ness and perseverance. We venerate their piety. 
There is something sublime in the fact of leaving 
their country and their home for the sake of enjoy- 
ing the rights of conscience and the pure worship 
of God. There is something heroic in going to 
dwell, where ferocious beasts and savage men 
cause sounds of terror to circulate through a 
surrounding wilderness. There is something ad- 
mirable in the care of our ancestors for each other 
and for posterity. In the conditions of the first 
grant of lands to the inhabitants of this place, and 
in subsequent acts, we see by what elevated views 
and feelings the government of the province was 
guided. Not content with conferring merely civil 
privileges on their infant settlements, they were 
anxious to secure to them the blessings of religion. 
They not only required our ancestors to make 
provision for the perpetuation of the ministry, but 
cheerfully assisted them by gifts from the public 
treasury. Whenever, therefore, you are invited 
to lend your aid in circulating the means of salva- 
tion ; remember that the institutions of religion 
were here sustained by the benefactions of others. 
The invaluable inheritance left to you was culti- 



20 

vated partly by such means as you are often solici- 
ted to bestow on the destitute. In the history of 
our ancestors we also learn, that they were ready 
to make sacrifices for the enjoyment of the institu- 
tions of religion. When fewer than fifty families, 
remote from a place where their commod- 
ities could be exchanged for currency, made 
ample provision for the settlement and con- 
tinuance of their minister ; they gave incontestable 
evidence of their love to Christ and attachment 
to the interests of his Kingdom. And as we trace 
them onwards in their course and see the ardor of 
each generation for the promotion of every valua- 
ble object ; as we look around and view the ed- 
ifices which they erected for the worship of 
God ; the houses which they built for the instruction 
of the young ; and the various means, which they 
provided for the good of those who should come 
after them ; can we refrain from feeling our obliga- 
tions to them and our responsibility to the next 
generation ? Our fathers where are they, and the 
prophets, do they live forever? We are the succes- 
sors of those, who have been instrumental in rais- 
ing societ}' to its present state. We are the con- 
necting link between all the past and all the future 
generations of men. The means of education have 
been put into our hands, and we are required to 
transmit them to our successors. The ark of civil 
liberty rests on our shoulders, and we are required 
to bear it onwards in safety, till others arise to fill 
our places. The truths of religion have been com- 
mitted to us, and we are commanded to teach them 
diligently to the rising generation. The ordinan- 
ces of divine worship have come down to us through 
many ages, that we may faithfully use and transmit 



21 

them to others. Our obligations then are numer- 
ous. Our responsibilities immense. If we fail 
rightly to improve the privileges, for which 
our fathers toiled ; our guilt will be great. If 
we neglect to perpetuate them, the curses of 
posterity will fall heavily on our memories. 
And when we look back on the progress of 
this church, and consider its gradual advance- 
ment from its formation to this day, we can- 
not refrain from expressions of adoring thankful- 
ness. " Walk" now " about Zion, go round about 
her ; tell the towers thereof mark ye well her bul- 
warks, consider her palaces ; that ye may tell, it to 
the generation to come ;" and leave it as a perpetu- 
al memento, that it is the word of God, received as 
truth, and accompanied by the influences of the 
Holy Spirit, which has preserved and enlarged this 
church ; and that this only can save it from extinc- 
tion, and render it prosperous in all future ages. 
The responsibility, then, of him, who shall stand 
here as your teacher, is great. By inculcating the 
same doctrines, which have ever been taught in 
this sacred place, the church " built on the foun- 
dation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ 
himself being the chief corner stone" will be " fitly 
framed together, and grow into an holy temple in 
the Lord." But if he neglect to teach these truths, 
if " through philosophy and vain deceit, after 
the tradition of men and after the rudiments of this 
world," he draw you away from the pure doctrines 
of the Gospel ; the slumber of death will pervade 
your families. The voice of prayer will cease to 
ascend from your dwellings. Religious assemblies 
will diminish. The church will languish. The 
Holy Spirit will no longer descend upon us. Sin- 
ners will no more inquire " what they shall do to 



22 

be saved ; and shouts of joy, called forth by their 
repentance, will no more circulate through heaven. 
O how great then must be the guilt ; how tremen- 
dous the doom of the minister, who shall here 
" pervert the right ways of the Lord !" O what woes 
shall descend on the " son of perdition," who shall 
here diminish the fears of sinners, or encourage 
them to expect salvation on any other ground, than 
that of the blood of Christ ! " Good were it for 
that man, if he had not been born." And whilst you 
see this immense responsibility resting on those, 
who occupy the station of teachers of religion, 
consider your own obligations to Christ and to 
posterity. " Search the scriptures." Inquire dil- 
igently after truth. Investigate those oracles, 
which were "given by inspiration of God," and are 
"profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correc- 
tion, and for instruction in righteousness." " Take 
unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be 
able to withstand in the evil day, and having done 
all to stand. Stand, therefore, having your loins 
girt about with truth, and having on the breast- 
plate of righteousness and your feet shod with the 
preparation of the gospel of peace." " And 
be not tossed to and fro, and carried about with 
every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men and cun- 
ning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, 
but speaking the truth in love may grow up into 
Him in all things, which is the head even Christ" 
By ivhom* " the whole body fitly joined together 
and compacted by that, which every joint sup- 
plieth, according to the effectual working in the 
measure of every part maketh increase of the body 
unto the edifying of itself in love." 

* English Version, " From whom." 



23 

A review of the dispensations of Providence 
is calculated to impress our minds with the im- 
portance of increasing, as well as perpetuating 
the blessings which we enjoy. Had not our ances- 
tors acted on this principle, they would have re- 
mained in subjection to an oppressive prelacy. 
They would never have crossed the mighty deep, 
to seek an asylum in the western Hemisphere. 
They would never have taken up their abode in the 
immense wilderness of America. Had those, who 
first arrived in this place, been content with a bare 
subsistence and with the few privileges, which they 
then enjoyed ; the forest would still have covered 
these hills and plains. These fields would never 
have been cultivated. These dwellings would 
never have been erected. These houses for the 
instruction of children and youth would never have 
been reared. These cheerful villages would not 
have risen. These temples for the worship of Je- 
hovah would never have been built. It was care 
for those, who should come after them, that chief- 
ly influenced our ancestors to cultivate the soil and 
to lay deep and broad the foundations of literary 
and ecclesiastical Institutions. It was the regard 
of each succeeding generation for the welfare of 
posterity, that has caused these blessings to accu- 
mulate in their descent to us. And shall we be con- 
tent to hand down to the next generation only the 
inheritance which was left to us by our fathers ? Is 
it enough, that we preserve unimpaired the rights 
and the privileges, which we have received ? Shall 
the stream of civil and religious blessings, which 
in passing each generation became broader and 
deeper, receive no tributaries from us ? Can we do 
nothing to cause society to advance to that state of 
perfection, at which it is destined eventually to ar- 
rive, " when nation shall no more lift up sword 



24 

against nation" and when there shall be nothing to 
molest or intimidate throughout the wide extent of 
God's earthly dominions ? Shall the wheel of civil 
and intellectual and moral improvement, which dur- 
ing two centuries has been increasing its rapidity, 
instead of receiving additional impulse, be retarded 
by our generation ? O let gratitude for the bles- 
sings, which we inherit, impel us to make efforis 
for the good of those, who shall come after us. Let 
us endeavor to leave some memorial of our regard 
for future ages : and when our bodies shall have min 
gled with the dust, and our very names have been 
forgotten ; may those, " who arise and declare" the 
"mighty acts of the Lord," find amongst their oc- 
casions of -thankfulness, that their blessings were 
augmented by our generation. 



APPENDIX. 



In collecting materials for the preceding discourse various 
difficulties have been encountered. No records kept by the 
town previously to 1675 have come down to us. Of those, 
which commence in 1687, some were destroyed by the burning 
of the clerks' office ; and the rest excepting such as relate to 
the last 40, or 50 years, are so impaired and mutilated, that it is 
difficult to obtain from them even a general view of the progress 
of the town. The records of the church, if any had been kept, 
previously to 1755, were destroyed or lost more than 50 years 
ago. As this was an insulated settlement its early history can 
not be learned from the records of the towns, by which it is now 
surrounded. The following notes collected from various sour- 
ces are annexed for the purpose of substantiating statements 
made in the discourse, of illustrating the character of the 
times and of preserving the knowledge of several facts, which 
could not be introduced into the Sermon. 

A. 

The occasion of this notice was, that in the year 1647, three 
Indians living between this place and Springfield were murder- 
ed by other Indians and in the spring of 1648, five others 
were killed about half way from this place to Lancaster. On ac- 
count of these murders some of the Quaboag Indians made friend- 
ship with Cutshamoquin sachem of the Massachusetts. They 
influenced him to procure the Reverend Mr. Elliot to go to the 
Deputy Governor and solicit his assistance in taking the mur- 
derers. An order to assist the Quaboag Indians was forwarded 
to William Pynchon, Esq. of Springfield. In his reply Mr. 
Pynchon exposed the subtlety of the Indians, shewed that 
though they were within the line of this province and subjects 
of Cutshamoquin, yet neither the murdered, nor the murderers 
were subjects of the Government, and that by assisting these In- 
dians the English would expose themselves to an injurious and 
destructive war. These statements produced a reversal of the 
order. The Indians of this section of the country are thus de- 
4 



26 

scribed. " There are several small factions at Quaboag, and in 
all near places there are other small factions. No one faction 
doth rule all. And one of these petty factions hath made friend- 
ship with Cutshamoquin, but I believe they will stick no longer 
to him, than the sun shines upon him." 

See Win throp's journal, Appendix vol. 2. p. 384. 
By " Quaboag and all near places," it is not improbable, that 
Mr. Pynchon intended to comprehend the Nipmuc country ge- 
nerally. The principal settlements of Indians were in Wesha- 
kim alias Nashua (Lancaster,) Quaboag (Brookfield) Man- 
chaog (Oxford,) Chabanakougkomum (Dudley,) Waeuntug 
(Uxbridge,) Hassanemesset (Grafton,) Packahoag 'part of 
Worcester and Ward) MSanexit Wabquisset and Quantisset 
(Woodstock,) Conn. 

B. 

At a General Court of Election held at Boston the 20th May 
1660. 

In answer to the petition of several inhabitants of Ipswich • 
this Court judgeth it meet to grant the petitioners six miles 
square, or so much land, as shall be contained in such a compass 
in a place near Quaboag Pond : provided they have twenty 
families there resident within three years and that they have 
an able minister settled there within said term, such as this 
Court shall approve ; and that they make due provision in some 
way or other for the future ; either by setting apart of lands, or 
what else shall be thought meet for the continuance of the minis- 
try amongst them ; and that if they shall fail in any of the partic- 
ulars aforementioned ; this grant of the Court to be void and of 
no effect. 

C. 

tl These presents testify, that Shattoockquis, alias Shadookis, 
the sole and proper owner of certain lands at Quabaog here- 
after named, hath for good and valuable considerations, him the 
said Shattoockquis, thereunto moving ; given, granted, bargain- 
ed and sold, and by these presents doth fully, clearly, and abso- 
lutely give, grant, bargain and sell unto Ensign Thomas Cooper 
of Springfield, for vhe use and behoof of the present English 
planters at Quaboag and their associates and their successors 
and to them and their heirs forever, certain parcels of land at, 
towards or about the north end of Quaboag pond, that is to say, 
beginning at a little meadow at the north end of the pond Qua- 
boag, which meadow is called Podunk, with the land about it, 



27 

and so to a little hill Wullamannuck, and from thence northward 
or north and by east about three miles, and so westward off to 
the nortb end of Wickaboag pond, taking in all the plains, 
meadows and upland from Podunk by Quaboag pond, to Wick- 
aboag pond, all the land betwixt, as that called Nacommuck (viz. 
a brook where meadow is) and so to Massaquockcummis, viz. 
another brook where meadows is, and so through the plain to 
Wickaboag pond, and then down to Lashaway, viz. the river 
which comes from Quaboag pond, all the land as aforesaid oa 
the east or the north east side of that river and about three miles 
north and by east from the river, together with the said river, 
and the lands on the west side or south or southwest side of 
the said river, and particularly from Lashaway down the river to a 
brook or stream called Naultaug, and so up that brook to the head 
of it southward, and then from the head of that brook to the verge 
of a hill called Asquoach, and so down southward or south east 
to that pond Quaboag, taking in all the we^ meadow and meadows 
called Masquabanish and Nanantomqua, it being about four miles 
from the river to the verge or foot of the hill aforesaid called As- 
quoach, and about six miles or near thereabouts from the river at 
the mouth of the brook called Naltaug, to Quaboag pond, all the 
aforesaid tract of land from Wickaboag to Podunk, at the north 
end of Quaboag, and from Naltaug, to Quaboag, called Naltaug, 
Lashaway, Massaquockcummis, Nacommuck, Wullamannuck, 
Podunk, Nanantomqua, Masquabamisk, and so to the hill called 
Asquoach ; all which land afore described, together with the trees, 
waters, stones, profits, commodities and advantages thereof and 
thereunto belonging, the said Ensign Thomas Cooper, for himself, 
and for the present planters of Quaboag, and their associates 
and successors, is to have, hold and enjoy, and that forever. 
And the said Shattoockquis, as well for other considerations, as 
also for and in consideration of the sum of three hundred fathom 
of wampumpeage* in hand received, doth grant, bargain and sell 
all and singular the aforenamed tract of land to Ensign Thomas 

* " Wompompague," says Mr. Gookin, "is made, artificially, of a part of the 
wilk's shell, [wholke.] The black is of double the value of the white. It is 
made, principally, by the Narragansett black Islanders (Block-Islanders) and 
Long Island Indians. Upon the sandy flats and shores of those coasts the wilk 
shells are found." Hist. Coll. I, 15?. 

In Roger Williams' Key, Wampum is considered as the Indian money, and is 
described in the 24th chapter of that interesting tract. "One fathom of this 
their stringed money is worth five shillings. Their white money they call Wam- 
pum, which signifies white; their black, Suckawhoek ; suki signifying black." 

Hist. Coll. Ill, 231. 



28 

Cooper, his successors and assigns as aforesaid, and to their heirs 
forever. And the said Shattoockquis doth hereby covenant and 
promise to and with the said Ensign Thomas Cooper, that he 
will save the said Thomas Cooper harmless from all manner of 
claims of any person or persons lawfully claiming any right or 
interest in the said lands hereby sold, or in any part thereof, and 
will defend the same from all, or any molestation and incum- 
brance by any Indians lawfully laying claim or title thereunto. 
In witness whereof the said Shattoockquis hath hereunto set his 
hand this tenth day of November 1665. 

Subscribed and "1 The mark of Shattoockquis. 

delivered in the i The mark of Mattawamppe, an Indian 
presence of J witness, who challenging some in- 

Elizur Holyoke fterest in the land above^ sold, received 
Samuel Chapin I part of the pay, and consented to the 
Japhet Chapin. J sale of it all. 

Shattoockquis an Indian above mentioned did own and ac- 
knowledge this to be his act and deed, resigning up all his 
right, title and interest in the lands abovementioned, unto 
Thomas Cooper, his associates and assigns as abovesaid, this 
tenth day of November 1665. 

Before me, John Pynchon, Assistant. 

D. 

At a 6econd session of the General Court held at Boston the 
ISth of October, 1673. 

In answer to the petition of the inhabitants of Quaboag, the 
Court judgeth it meet to grant their request, and the liberty and 
privilege of a Township, and that the name thereof be Brook- 
field : provided they divide not the whole land of the Town- 
ship till they be forty or fifty families ; in the mean time their 
dividings one to another, exceed not two hundred acres to any 
present inhabitant. 

A true Copy as of record. 

Examined — Josiah Willard, Secretary. 

Immediately after the incorporation of the town, Ensign Tho- 
mas Cooper resigned to them his title to the land by the follow- 
ing deed. 

I Thomas Cooper above-mentioned, do hereby lelinquish 
and resign up all my right and title in the lands within mention- 
ed to be bought of Shattoockquis, hereby declaring that my act- 
ing in the premises was only in the behalf of and for the use and be- 



29 

hoof of the inhabitants of Quaboag (now called Brookfield) and 
their successors, the purchase of the aboveraentioned land being at 
their proper cost and charge, who had obtained a grant thereof from 
the honorable General Court and are now allowed a Town. I 
do therefore hereby deliver up this instrument or deed of sale to 
John Warner, Richard Coye and William Pritchard of Quaboag, 
alias Brookfield, for the use and as the proper right of the inhab- 
itants of Brookfield, the said persons being betrusted by the 
town or present inhabitants of Brookfield for taking in and re- 
ceiving this present deed. Wherefore I do hereby deliver it up 
to them, hereby declaring it and the land therein mentioned to 
be sold, to be, and belong to the present Inhabitants of Brook- 
field as they are a township, and to particular persons only, ac- 
cording as they have, or shall have grants of land confirmed to 
them. The whole tract of land above-mentioned I do fully and 
absolutely resign up to the inhabitants of Brookfield aforesaid, 
and to their successors and their heirs forever, as witness my 

hand this 19th day of December 1673. mi n 

J Ihomas Cooper. 

December 19th 1673, Lieutenant Thomas Cooper above-men- 
tioned, subscribed hereunto and- acknowledged the resigning 
up this Deed and all his interest in the premises to the inhab- 
itants of Brookfield. 

Before me, John Pynchon, Assistant. 

This deed was recorded March 1673, 

by me, Elizur Holyoke, Recorder. 
Hampshire, sc. A true copy from record, examined 

per Edward Pynchon, Register. 

E. 

By his English contemporaries Philip was supposed to be 
governed chiefly by feelings of hatred and revenge excited 
against the English on account of a few imaginary injuries re- 
ceived from them. He was regarded not only as implacable in 
his resentments, but as delighting in the infliction of injury and 
death. The customs of savage warfare undoubtedly led them to 
misunderstand the principles, by which he was influenced 
and to regard as wanton cruelty those measures which were 
dictated by ardent patriotism. It is believed that the views ex- 
pressed in the discourse respecting his character and motives, 
coincide with the opinions of those, who have carefully examin- 
ed the subject, and also account for his conduct during every 
part of the war. There are, however, traditionary accounts, 
which if it were not for their inconsistency with every other 



30 

part of his course would lead us to adopt a very different opinion 
respecting him. " Tradition says, he was forced on by the fu- 
ry of his young men, sore against his own judgment and incli- 
nation ; and that though he foresaw, and foretold the English 
would in time by their industry, root out all the Indians, yet he 
was against making war with them, as what he thought would 
only hurry on, and increase the destruction of his people. 
There is a constant tradition among the posterity of the people, 
who lived next to him, and were familiarly conversant with him, 
as also with the Indians who survived the war, that both Philip, 
and his chief old men, were utterly averse to the war. and they 
shew the spot where Philip received the news, of the first En- 
glish men that were killed, with grief and sorrow, and wept at 
the news ; and that a day or two before the first outrages, he had 
protected an English Man the Indians had captivated, rescued 
him from them, and privately sent him home safe." 

See Cullender's Hist. Disc, respecting Rhode-Island, p. 73. Boston Edition, 1739,, 

E 2. 

" It will not be amiss to let the reader understand the horrible, 
perfidious and treacherous dealing of these Nipnet Indians, who 
although of all other they had the least reason as to any pretence 
of injury, yet did most deceitfully join with Philip and his In- 
dians after they had been several times sent unto by the gover- 
nor and council to have prevented their rising and also had 
faithfully promised not to meddle in the quarrel. The inhab- 
itants of Brookueld had been so deluded by those treacherous 
villains, that fearing no danger they obtained of those Nipmucs 
the promise of a treaty upon the 2d of August. Whereupon 
some of the chief of the town rode along unarmed with Captains 
Wheeler and Hutchinson till they came to the place appointed." 

Hubbard Ind. Wars. 

F. 

According to all tradition this place is the hill at the north 
end of Wickaboag Pond. This Hill appears to have been used 
as an Indian Cemetery. When it was cultivated by the English 
after their return, great numbers of human bones were exhu- 
mated. 

G. 

The largest collection of Indians at this time was at a place in 
the south western part of New Braintree. It was called Weni- 



31 

messet, or Meminimesset. The spot where Captain Hutchin- 
son and his company were attacked cannot now be ascertained. 
There are two places, which tolerably answer the description 
given by historians. The one is near the line of Brookfield and 
New Braintree. The other is nearly two miles north of this 
line. Without records and with contradictory traditions it is 
probably impossible to determine with certainty at which place 
the onset was made. 

H. 

There has been of late years no small disagreement respeeting 
the place, where the fortified house stood. Some have attempt- 
ed to maintain that it was northeast of Foster's Hill.* But as no 
satisfactory evidence in support of this opinion has been found, it 
is to be regarded as unworthy of credence. There are several 
weighty reasons for believing, that it stood on this hill. I. The 
principal English settlement was there. 2. The meeting house, 
which was burned by the Indians was there. 3. In the account 
of the attack on the fortification a well in the yard is mentioned, 
and a well has been discovered near the north west corner of Mr. 
Tyler Marsh's door yard, of which the oldest inhabitants can 
give no account except that they have been told, it belonged 
to the fortified house. 4. At a distance of a few feet north of 
the well the ground when cultivated as a garden was unproduc- 
tive. As the soil appeared to be good, it was difficult to 
see any reason for the barrenness. On examination howev- 
er it was found that a building had stood on the place. Sev- 
eral loads of stone, which had formed a cellar and chimney 
were removed, amongst which various instruments of iron and 
steel were found. 5. There is a hill directly west of this place, 
which corresponds sufficiently well with the descriptions of that, 
down which the Indians rolled the cart of kindled combustibles. 
There is then good reason to conclude that it stood between Mr. 
Tyler Marsh's house and barn. 

The following particulars respecting the attack have been pre- 
served by Reverend Dr. Fiske. Note p. 13. Historical Sermon. 
He states, " that three of the men who were killed in the 
ambushment belonged to Brookfield, viz. Captain John Ayres, 
John Coye and Joseph Pritchard : — That when the Indians pur- 



* The Hill east of the Meeting House ia the West Parish. 



32 

sued the party into the town, they set fire to all the buildings 
except a few in the neighborhood of the house in which the 
inhabitants had taken shelter : — That they endeavoured to in- 
tercept five or six men that had gone to a neighboring house to 
secure some things there ; but they all got safe to the place of 
refuge, except a young man, Samuel Pritchard, who was stop- 
ped short by a fatal bullet : — That the house in which they were 
besieged was unfortified, except by a few logs hastily tumbled 
up on the outside after the alarm, and by a few feather beds hung 
up on the inside. And though the siege continued several days, 
in which time innumerable balls entered the house, only one 
man, Henry Young, who was in the chamber, was killed. — The 
Indians shot many fire-arrows to burn the house ; but without 
effect. And on one night the besieged were surprized by a sud- 
den light without doors, and soon perceived that the Indians had 
placed a quantity of combustibles by the side of the house and 
set them on fire. And though the people were obliged to go 
out and draw water to extinguish the flames, and were all the 
while exposed as marks to the enemy's bullets, yet they saved 
the house without any one's being hurt. — During the siege one 
man was wounded as he was drawing water. A board fence 
hid him from the Indians ; but one of them seeing the well-pole 
drawing down, took aim at the place where he thought the man 
must stand, and struck him just under the chin. The man af- 
frighted, exclaimed that he was killed. The Indian, knowing 
his voice, shouted and said, " Me kill Major Wilson." When 
the troop which relieved Brookfield got into the town, which 
was late at night, they were joined by great numbers of cattle, 
that had collected together in their fright at the conflagration of 
the buildings, and the firing and war-whoops of the Indians ; 
and for protection these poor animals followed the troop till they 
arrived at the besieged house. The Indians deceived hereby, 
and thinking there was a much larger number of horsemen than 
there really was, immediately set fire to the barn belonging to 
the besieged house, and to Joseph Pritchard's house and barn 
and the meeting-house, which were the only buildings left un- 
burn t, and went off. A garrison was maintained at this house 
till winter, when the court ordered the people away ; soon after 
which the Indians came and burnt this house also. 

Long as this note is, I cannot conclude without saying some- 
thing concerning Major Willard, the celebrated deliverer of the 
people here. His conduct in altering his course and coming to 



S3 

the relief of Brookfield, being dictated by humanity and execu- 
ted with bravery and success, has gained him the applause of 
people in general. But as it was beside his orders,* he was cen- 
sured by the Court and cashiered, which disgusted his friends 
and broke his heart." 

It is well known, that a report respecting the censure and deg- 
radation of Major Simon Willard had been widely circulated and 
generally believed. But there are substantial reasons for con- 
cluding, that he was not deprived of his office. A gentleman 
well acquainted with the history of those times, says, " I have 
consulted the contemporary historians Hubbard and Mather and 
various pamphlets of that day, and Neal and Hutchinson of a 
later day, and our historical collections. I have looked through 
the doings of the Court of assistants from July, 1675, to July, 
1676, and also the records of the general court, but find not a 
word to countenance the assertion that he was cashiered," and 
concludes, that Doctor Fiske must have derived it " from tradi- 
tion." To this it is necessary only to add, that on the 2d of 
March, 1676, he was commander of a detachment for the relief 
of Groton,t an d died at Charlestown, April 24th, of the same 
year, whilst attending the court of assistants of which he was a 
member, and his military successor was not appointed till the 3d 
of May following. These chcumstanees warrant the conclu- 
sion, that Major Willard was not cashiered. His conduct in 
rescuing the inhabitants of this place from destruction deserves 
to be commemorated by the descendants of those whose lives 
he preserved, and his memory will be dear to all, who know how 
to value deeds of heroism performed for the deliverance of the 

defenceless. 

I. 

It is frequently stated or implied by modern historians that 
Philip personally led on the Indians in their attack. The fol- 
lowing statement will correct this misapprehension. 

" Upon Friday being the 5th of this instant (August) Philip 
and his company came to us at this swamp, six miles from the 
swamp where they killed our men. Philip brought with him 
about forty men, but women and children many more, the num- 
ber I cannot tell. Philip's men were about 30 of them armed 
with guns, the rest had bows and arrows. He observed there 



* " In all expeditions against Indians in the distant forest some latitude is ev- 
idently necessary. Probably the very Indians, against whom Major Willard 
was destined were then at Brookfield." Hoyt, p. 102. 

t Indian Wars, p. 196. Wor. Edition. 

5 



34 

were about ten of Philip's men wounded. Philip was conduct- 
ed to the swamp by two Indians, one of them Caleb of Tatum- 
asket, beyond Mendon. The Indians told Philip, at his first 
coming, what they had done to the English at Quaboag ; then 
he presented and gave to three sagamores, viz. John, alias Ape- 
quinash, Quanansit, and Mawtamps,* to each of them about a 
peck of unstrung wampom, which they accepted. Philip, as I 
understood, told Quaboag and Nipmuc Indians, that when he 
first came towards the Nipmuc country and left his own, he 
had in his company about 250 men, besides women and chil- 
dren, including the squaw sachem and her company, but now 
they had left him, and some of them were killed, and he was 
reduced to 40 men, besides women and children. I heard also 
that Philip said, if the English had charged upon him and his 
people at the swamp in his own country one or two days more* 
they had been all taken, for their powder was almost spent ; he 
also said, that if the English had pursued him closely, as he 
travelled up to them, he must needs have been taken." MS. 
narrative of George, a christian Indian } taken prisoner in the am- 
bushment of Captain Hutchinson. 

Hutchinson, vol. II. p. 267. 



The first entry in the town records is dated February 24th, 

1687. 

L. 

At a Great and General Court or Assembly convened at Bos- 
ton, on Wednesday the 8th June 1692. Upon reading a petition 
from the Inhabitants of Brookfield alias Quaboag, praying that 
a Committee may be appointed as formerly, to direct and regu- 
late the settlement of said plantation and the affairs thereof, or- 
dered, that John Pynchon, Esq. Captain Gaml. Partridge, Mr. 
Joseph Hawley, Mr. Hitchcock, and Mr. Medad Pomroy, 
be and are hereby appointed and empowered to that service. 

William Phipps. 
A true copy examined by ) 

Joseph Willard, Secretary. ) 

* Mawtamps probably the same as Mattavvamppe p. 28. and as " Neatump" 
p. 9. This should have been Netaump, and the reference to pp. 117 and 202 
Ind. Wars. 

The Indian name of " Sam" mentioned in page 9. of the Discourse was 
Shoshanim. See Worcester Magazine, Vol. II. p. 291 . 



35 

"Though the inhabitants were incorporated and the town named 
by the court as early as the year 1673, yet they were not allowed 
the powers and authorities of a town till the year 1718 : But the 
court appointed and continued a committee consisting of gentle- 
men belonging to other places, to direct, regulate and ratify all 
affairs relative to settling and building up the town ; so that 
without said committee the inhabitants could not take up for 
themselves, or grant to others, any lands. And it was by the 
direction and assistance of said committee, that monies were 
granted, a meeting-house built, a minister chosen, &c. — To en- 
courage the settling of the town, especially in the time of the 
Indian wars, lands were granted to divers persons upon condi- 
tion they would possess and improve them for a certain number 
of years." Rev. Dr. Fiske. 

M. 

Owing to the hostility of the natives and constant exposure 
to attacks from them, the inhabitants on their return to the town 
adopted measures for their safety and protection. Several tem- 
porary fortifications were erected. Of these f he principal was 
Gilbert's Fort. It was near the place, where the central school 
house in the West Parish now stands. Its remains are said to 
have been visible till within a few years. On the hill north west 
of this place a tower was built, for the purpose of enabling the 
inhabitants to watch the movements of the Indians, and to ob- 
tain seasonable notice of their approach. It stood on an eleva- 
ted rock. It is related, that early in the evening of a cloudy 
day the centinel discovered Indians lurking in the woods at only 
a small distance from him. By inadvertence a large portion of 
the guns, which belonged to the fort, had been left at the tower. 
The centinel knew, that if he gave the alarm the inhabitants 
would come for their guns and thus be exposed to the Indians, 
who were ready to destroy them. In this state of things he 
waited till it became quite dark. In the mean time he examin- 
ed all the guns, and prepared for an attack. At length he dis- 
charged a gun towards a place where had seen the Indians. 
They returned his fire. As he was not exposed to injury from 
their muskets, he took a second piece ; and whenever one of their 
guns was discharged, he fired at the light occasioned by it. 
Thus single handed he carried on for some hours a contest with 
them. At length the firing ceased. In the morning blood was 
found in several places in the vicinity of the tower. It is not 



36 

improbable, that several Indians were either killed or severely 
wounded. 

Mark's Garrrison stood near the south west end of Wickaboag 
Pond, on a knoll below the junction of the waters of the pond 
with the Quaboag River. It is related, that one day Mrs. 
Marks being left alone, discovered hostile Indians in the neigh- 
borhood of the garrison, waiting for a favourable opportunity to 
attack the settlement. She immediately put on her husband's 
wig, hat, great coat, and taking his gun went to the top of the 
fortification, and " marched backwards and forwards vociferating 
like a vigilant centinel, all's well, all's well." This led the In- 
dians to believe, that they could not take the place by surprise, 
and fearing the result of an open, or protracted assault, they re- 
treated without doing any injury. 

Goss' Garrison stood west of Wickaboag Pond near the pre- 
sent residence of Mr. Isaac Gleason. 

Jennings', or Bannister's Garrison is supposed to have stood 
north east of the South Parish meeting house near the junction 
of the road from North Brookfield with that to Boston. 
Some, however, think, that it was south of the meeting house 
and beyond the river. 

N. 

11 1 cannot obtain information enough to enable me to point out 
the exact order of time, or the day, month or year in which 
some of the skirmishes and slaughters happened in this town. 
The first mischief was in the latter end of July or beginning of 
August, 1692. A party of Indians came into the town and 
broke up two or three families. Joseph Woolcot, being at 
work a little distance from his house, his wife being fearful took 
her children and went out to him. When they returned to the 
house at noon they found the Indians had been there, for his 
gun and several other things were missing. And looking out at 
a window he saw an Indian at some distance coming towards 
the house. He immediately sent out his wife and his two little 
daughters to hide themselves in the bushes ; and he taking his 
little son under his arm and his broad ax in his hand, went out 
with his dog in sight of the Indian. The dog being large and 
fierce, attacked the Indian so furiously, that he was obliged to 
discharge his gun at the dog to rid himself of him : immediately 
upon which Woolcot set down the child and pursued the Indian 
till he heard the bullet roll down his gun (the Indian charging 
as he ran) he then turned back, snatch'd up his child and made 



37 

his escape through the swamps to a fort. His wife being great- 
ly terrified, discovered by her shrieks where she was ; and the 
Indian soon found and dispatched both her and her children. 
Others of the party about the same time came into the house of 
one Mason, while the family were at dinner. They killed Ma- 
son and one or two children, and took his wife and an infant 
which they had wounded, and carried them off. They also 
took two brothers, Thomas and Daniel Lawrence ; they soon 
despatched Thomas, pretending he had misinformed them about 
the number of men that were in the town. John Lawrence, 
their brother, rode with all haste to Springfield for assistance. 
A company under the command of Captain l oulton came with 
the greatest speed and pursued the Indians. They found Mrs. 
Mason's child, which the savages had knock'd on the head and 
thrown away in the bushes ; and continuing their pursuit, they 
came upon the Indians' encampment, which was a sort of brush 
hedge, which they deridingly called " Englishmen's fort" 
The party waited till break of day, and then came so near as to 
put their guns through this brush and fire upon the Indians, 14 
or 15 of whom were killed. The rest fled with such precipitation 
as to leave several of their arms, blankets, powder horns, &c. 
and their prisoners, Daniel Lawrence aud Mrs. Mason, whom 
our men conducted back. — This same John Lawrence, who 
rode express and procured the company that rescued the above- 
mentioned prisoners, was afterwards going in company with one 
Samuel Owen in search of a man that was missing : the Indians 
came upon them, killed Lawrence, but Owen escaped. — Mary 
Mcintosh was fired upon and killed as she was milking her 
cows. Robert Grainger and John Clary were passing along the 
road on a certain day ; and being fired upon by the savages, 
Grainger was killed on the spot ; Clary attempted to escape, 
but had not fled far before he also was shot down. — At another 
time Thomas Battis of Brookfield riding express to Hadley, was 
killed in the wilderness, in a place now called Belchertown. — 
Early one morning John Woolcot, a lad about 12 or 14 years 
old, was riding in search of the cows, when the Indians fired at 
him, killed his horse under him and took him prisoner. The 
people at Jennings' garrison hearing the firing, and concluding 
the people at another garrison were beset, six men set out for 
their assistance, but were waylaid by the Indians. The English 
saw not their danger till they saw there was no escaping it. And 
therefore, knowing that an Indian could not look an Englishman 
in the face and take a right aim, they stood their giound pre- 



38 

senting their pieces wherever they saw an Indian without dis- 
charging them, excepting Abijah Bartlett, who turned to flee and 
was shot dead. The Indians kept firing at the rest, and wound- 
ed three of them : Joseph Jennings in two places, one ball graz- 
ed the top of his head, by which he was struck blind for a mo- 
ment ; another ball passed through his shoulder wounding his 
collar bone ; yet by neither did he fall, nor was mortally wound- 
ed. Benjamin Jennings was wounded in the leg, and John 
Green in the wrist. They were preserved at last by the follow- 
ing stratagem. A large dog hearing the firing came to our men ; 
one of whom, to encourage bis brethren and intimidate the In- 
dians, called out " Captain Williams is come to our assistance, 
for here is his dog." The Indians seeing the dog and knowing 
Williams to be a famous warrior, immediately fled, and our men 
escaped. John Woolcot, the lad abovementioned, was carried 
to Canada, where he remained six or seven years, during which 
time, by conversing wholly with Indians, he not only entirely 
lost his native language, but became so naturalized to the sava- 
ges, as to be unwilling for a while to return to his native coun- 
try.* Some years afterwards, viz. in March, 1728, in a time of 
peace, he and another man having been hunting, and coming 
down Connecticut river with a freight of skins and fur, they were 
hailed by some Indians ; but not being willing to go to them, 
they steered for another shore. The Indians landed at a little 
distance from them ; several shots were exchanged, at length 
Woolcot was killed. 

" The last mischief which was done by the savages in Brook- 
field, was about the 20th of July, 1710. Six men, viz. Ebene- 
zer Hayward, John White, Stephen and Benjamin Jennings, 
John Grosvenor, and Joseph Kellog were making hay in the 
meadows, when the Indians, who had been watching an oppor- 
tunity to surprize them, sprung suddenly upon them, dispatched 
five of them, and took the other (John White) prisoner. 
White, spying a small company of our people at some distance, 

* The difficulty of retaining in civilized society those who had been so long 
in captivity, as to become accustomed to savage life, was often very great. A 
singular instance is found in page 240 of the Record of Lands. "December 
9th. 1714. then granted to Margaret Otice, alias Lebue one that was a prisoner 
in Canada and lately come from thence, forty acres of upland in Brookfield and 
twenty acres of meadow ; provided she returns not again to live in Canada, but 
tarries in this province or territory and marries to Captain Thomas Baker." 
The proposal was accepted. Captain Baker was the first representative sent 
from this town to the General Court. 



39 

jump'd from the Indian that held him and ran to join his friends ; 
but the Indian fired after him, and wounded him in the thigh, by 
which he fell ; but soon recovering and running again, he was 
again fired at and received his death wound." Rev. Dr. Fiske. 

O. 

"October 12th,"1716. Whereas about three years since the 
General Court allowed to the ministry in Brookfield twenty 
pounds ; of which sum Mr. Elmer who left the ministry there so 
as he had but one half of said sum paid to him, there remains 
ten pounds of said donation ; the Committee judge it meet this 
last part be paid to Mr. Thomas Cheney the present minister as 
part of his salary." 



Congregational Meeting Houses. 

The first meeting house stood on Foster's Hill about half a 
mile south east of the present meeting house. It was on the 
north side of the old road to the South Parish about equally 
distant from the house of Mr. Baxter Barnes and that of Mr. 
Tyler Marsh. 

The place in which the people met during the thirty years 
which elapsed after their return from dispersion and before the 
building of the second meeting house, cannot now be ascertain- 
ed. From their constant exposure to the irruptions of the In- 
dians, it is probable, that according to the customs of insulated 
settlements at that time, they met in a fortified place. As Gil- 
bert's Fort was in the centre of the settlement, it is not unlikely, 
that for many years the inhabitants assembled there for public 
worship. For a few years previously to the building of the 
second meeting house it seems quite probable, that they met in 
a house, which stood uearly opposite to the residence of Mr. 
Baxter Barnes. A building, called the TOWN HOUSE stood 
in that place, and after the completion of the seeond meeting 
house, was given to the Reverend Mr. Cheney, on the condi- 
tion, that he would release the town from that part of their con- 
tract in which they had agreed to build him a house. 

The second meeting house was built on the ground, where 
the first had stood. The records of the town with the doings of 
the Committee thereon will give a distinct view of the house 
and illustrate the circumstances, in which the work was under- 
taken. 

"Nov. 22d, 1715. The Inhabitants of Brookfield agreed by 



40 

the consent of the Committee to build a Meeting-house wherein 
to carry on the worship of God ; in form and manner as fol- 
loweth, viz. 45 feet in length, 35 feet in width, and to put 
in gallery pieces so that they may build galleries when they shall 
have occasion ; and to carry on the building the said house as far 
as they can conveniently with their labours, and what shall be 
required in money for the carrying said work to be raised by a 
town rate and if any person or persons refuse to labour, having 
suitable warning by the Committee hereafter mentioned, they 
shall pay their proportion in money. The Inhabitants likewise 
agree to get the timber this winter." 

"The Committee unanimously agree that the Inhabitants build 
a meeting house wherein to attend the worship of God which 
shall be set up and erected in said place where formerly the 
meeting house was built near old John Ayres' house lot lying 
near about the centre of the town." 

Tne third meeting house was built in 1755, and stood on the 
place which the present meeting house occupies. It was 45 
feet in length and 35 in breadth. In 1794 it was removed and 
appropriated to the use of Parish and Town Meetings. 

The present meeting house was raised in 1794, and completed 
the next year. Length of the house including the west porch 80 
feet, length of the body 65 feet, breadth 55. It was dedicated 
November 10th, 1795. 

Second Parish, now North Brookfield. 

The first meeting house was raised in 1749 and completed after 
a few years. This house was occupied for public worship till 
January, 1824, when a new one situated about half a mile north 
of the old one was completed. It is a neat and commodious 
edifice. 

Third Parish. 

The meeting house in the South parish was raised in April, 
1754. It was the design of the party, who erected the frame, 
eventually to induce the inhabitants of the First parish to unite 
with them in completing and occupying the House. When the 
subject was presented to the General Court, an injunction was 
issued against the proceeding, till some order should be given 
by the Court ; a viewing committee was appointed, who reported 
in favour of a separation, and of the incorporation of a third 
parish. This report was accepted November 8th, 1754. For 
many years, little was done towards a completion of the house 
as will appear from the report of a parish committee, April 19th. 



41 

1758. " The pew spots set out and numbered shall be sold, or 
granted as prized to such persons in the third precinct being 
freeholders ; giving the first offer and choice to the person, who 
is highest upon the town list in rateable estate and personal, as 
the list now stands in the clerk's office : and if refused by the 
first on the list, said spot shall be offered to the next highest 
on the list, and so to be sold, or granted in succession, till said 
spots are all taken up and sold. Also that the purchaser may 
pay for the spot in such materials, as shall be suitable for finish- 
ing the meetinghouse ; also the purchaser shall give his note of 
hand to a Committee, which said precinct shall appoint for to 
receive notes of hand for said sum or sums of money, or mate- 
rials, as the purchaser shall give, and to agree with the purchas- 
er and allow him a reasonable price for the stuff ; and that the 
notes shall be payable in six months, and the Committee shall 
be obliged to use the money and materials in finishing the meet- 
ing house, as the precinct shall give orders to said Committee 
within eighteen months. Also every purchaser shall be obliged 
to build his pew upon said spot, and ceil up to the windows and 
case the windows and the parts within the limits of the grant up 
to the gallery, or the first girt ; if not the purchaser shall forfeit 
the before mentioned pew spot to the precinct to be disposed of, 
as if it had not been taken up." This report was accepted, and 
it was voted, " that the precinct Committee be a Committee to 
dispose of the pew spots according to the report and to take 
notes and to call in and receive the money, or materials of the 
purchasers of the pew spots ; to provide stuff to build a pulpit, 
deacons seats and minister's pew, and to make use of the over- 
plus towards finishing the meeting house according to the pre- 
cinct order, if any there be. 

The dimensions of the house were, length 55 feet, breadth 
42 feet. In 1790 it underwent a thorough repair. A porch 12 
feet square was built surmounted by a steeple. The back body 
seats below and above were removed, and pews were construct- 
ed in the places which they occupied. In 1811 a clock was 
presented for the meeting house by Cheney Reed, Esq. on the 
condition that the parish would keep it in repair. 

The Meeting house of the Evangelical society in South Brook- 
field was raised in 1828, and was dedicated August 13th, of the 
same year. The dimensions of the house are, length, 50 feet, 
breadth, 42 feet. 

6 



42 



Burying Yards. 

The place of the first burials is not known. Tradition fixes 
it somewhere in the fields eastward of the meeting house in 
the first parish. It probably was near a road, which in the first 
settlement of the town connected Foster's Hill with the Con- 
necticut road in the neighbourhood of Deacon Samuel Barnes. 

The old Burying Ground in the first parish began to be used 
as a depository of the dead soon after the return of the inhabi- 
tants from the dispersion in Philip's war. Two men, who were 
killed by the Indians between this place and North Brookfield, 
are said to have been the first that were interred there. The 
six men, who in 1710 were killed in the meadows between this 
place and the South Parish, were soon afterwards buried near 
them. The six graves are still discernible in the line next west 
of Mr. Cornelius White's. It is often asked, why was a place se- 
lected so far from a public road. To this it is necessary only to 
say, that the ancient road from Boston to Hartford passed over 
the plain a little north of the meeting house, and through the 
fields along the east side of the burying yard. 

The first interments in the present burying ground were those 
of Doctor Whitman Gilbert and Lieutenant John Phipps, on the 
10th of January, 1809. 

South Parish. 

The burying ground in the South Parish began to be used as 
a depository of the dead, probably as early as 1720. 

Q. 

"At a meeting of the Inhabitants of Brookfield, on April the 
5th, 1716. Voted that Thomas Barnes be moderator for said 
day. Voted that Edward Walker, Senior, Joseph Banister and 
Elisha Rice, do further discourse Mr. Cheney, as to his propo- 
sals in order to settlement in said place, to carry on the work of 
the ministry. Having considered Mr. Cheney's proposals, the 
Inhabitants voted to give Mr. Cheney for his salary, fifty two 
pounds yearly for three years, and to rise forty shillings a year 
until it comes to seventy pounds, and there to stay. 2dly. Voted 
that Mr. Cheney have all the land that the Committee propose to 
give him. 3dly. Voted to build him a house and barn according 
to the directions he has given ; Mr. Cheney providing glass and 



43 

nails and iron. 4thly. Voted to break up, and fence in, and 
fit to sow, eight acres of land ; four acres upon the hill, 2 acreg 
to be planted out with orcharding this year, and 4 acres to be 
broak up on the plain this year, the other 2 acres to be done 
within four years. 5thly. Voted to get Mr. Cheney twenty five, 
cords of wood yearly his life time. 6thly. Voted to give Mr. 
Cheney each man one day's work yearly for six years, his house 
and barn to be built in four years, always provided Mr. Cheney 
be our ordained minister. 

Thomas Barnes, Moderator. 

Approved and allowed by the Committee for Brookfield, May 
16th, 1716, provided Mr. Cheney be their settled minister three 
years. 

Samuel Partridge. 

John Pynchon. 

Samuel Porter. 

Erenezer Pomeroy. 

July 16, 1717. At a meeting of the Inhabitants of Brook- 
field. Voted, the third Wednesday in October next is appointed 
and set apart for Mr. Cheney's ordination. Voted that the town 
celebrate and set apart a day of fasting and prayer to implore 
God's presence with us in this solemn and weighty matter, 
which day is left to Mr. Cheney to appoint ; Full and clear 
votes. 

ft. 

To his Excellency Samuel Shute, Esq. Captain-General and 
Governor in Chief in and over his Majesty's Province of Mas- 
sachusetts Bay in New England. — The honourable Council and 
Representatives convened in General Court the 28th of May, 
1718. 

We undernamed the Committee for Brookfield after many dis- 
appointments by War and otherwise which for a long time the 
people have laboured under, by the good Providence of God are 
now so increased, that they are now near fifty families on the 
place, have near finished a very convenient meeting house, have 
settled a Church and ordained an orthodox and learned minis- 
ter, we humbly propose, that they be made a Township, to order 
all the affairs of a Township according to the direction of the 
law by themselves, and said Committee released ; which we sub- 



44 

mit to the Court's determination and for your Excellency and 
Honors shall ever pray. Samuel Partridge. 1 Committee 

Samuel Porter. > for 
Luke Hitchcock. ) Brookfield. 

In the House of Representatives November 12th, 1718, read 
and ordered that the prayer of this petition be granted and that 
the inhabitants of the town of Brookfield be invested with all 
the powers, privileges and authorities to direct, order and man- 
age all the affairs of the said township, that other towns are or 
ought to be invested with ; and that the Committee be dismissed 
from their care of them with the thanks of Court for their faithful 
service. Agreed the said town to lye to the county of Hampshire.* 
Sent up for concurrence, 

John Burrell, Speaker. 

In Council, November 12tb, 1718. 

Read and concurred, with the amendments sent down for con- 
currence, J. Willard, Secretary. 

A true copy from the files, Examined, 

J. Willard, Secretary. 

At a great and general Court or Assembly of his Majesty's 
Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England held at 
Boston on Wednesday the 4th November, 1719. December 3d, 
1719. A petition of Thomas Barnes and others of the Select 
men of the town of Brookfield in behalf of said town shewing 
that by an order of the General Court held in May, 1701, the 
Committee for the said town were directed to survey and make 
a plot of the said township containing by grants the contents of 
eight miles square, and lay before the Court such plot for further 
consideration of the bounds of the said township : that the same 
has been cut ; the plot being mislayed and no act of the Court 
passed thereon : therefore praying that the said survey and plot 
may be accepted and confirmed and that the inhabitants may 
have the same power and privileges, that other towns are vested 
with. 

In the house of Representatives read and resolved that 
the prayer of this petition be granted, and that the bounds of 
the township of Brookfield be granted, confirmed and estab- 
lished accordingly and agreeable to a plot thereof and here- 
with exhibited, taken by Timothy Dwight surveyor; and, 

♦Worcester County was incorporated April 2d, 1731, and Brookfield was in- 
cluded within its limits. 



45 

that the inhabitants that now are, or hereafter shall be, are in- 
vested with all the powers, privileges and authorities that other 
towns have, and, that the choice of town officers made for said 
town in March is hereby approved and confirmed. 
In council read and concurred, 

Consented to, Samuel Shute. 

As the population increased in the neighbourhood of Brook- 
field, new towns were formed ; and in their incorporation some 
of them obtained portions of the territory included in this grant, 
A large part of the town of Western, a small portion of New- 
Braintree, and of Ware, and the whole of North-Brookfield, ori- 
ginally belonged to this town. Its present boundaries are north 
by New-Braintree, and North-Brookfield ; east, by Spencer and 
Charlton ; south, by Sturbridge and Brimfield ; west, by West- 
ern, and Ware. It is said to contain about 27,000 acres of sur- 
face. Few towns present so varied and pleasing scenery. There 
are two extensive ponds ; one in the west parish called Wicka- 
boag, the other in the south parish, called Quaboag. Two streams 
(rising from several sources in Oakham, Paxton and Spencer, 
the one called by the first settlers " Five mile River," and re- 
cently " Mill River ;" and the other " Seven mile River) form a 
junction and empty into the northeastern part of Quaboag pond. 
Near the northwestern corner of the pond is an outlet call- 
ed Quaboag river, which proceeds slowly in its channel through 
extensive meadows, till it arrives near the southwest part of 
Wickaboag pond ; where it receives from this pond a tributary, 
and takes the name of Lashaway. In Western and Palmer it 
receives many other tributaries, takes the name of Chickopee, 
and passes westward, till it empties into the Connecticut. 

Brooks and small streams intersect the town in various direc- 
tions, contributing to the fertility of the soil, the amenity of the 
place, and the convenience of the cattle ; but for want of descent 
they are not suitable for mills. 

There are several springs, whose waters are sufficiently im- 
pregnated with iron and other minerals to be highly useful in 
some diseases. The chalybeate springs of the South Parish 
have been a resort of invalids ; and many are said to have been 
relieved by the use of the water. There is also a spring on the 
border of the pond near the meeting house in the first parish. 
In the fall and winter it has often been covered by the rise of 
the pond. In the few cases, in which its waters have been used 
for dyspepsia and similar diseases, it has been found highly ben- 



46 

eficial. A project is formed to protect the spring from the occa- 
sional inundation of the pond and to render it a pleasant resort. 
The waters of the pond seem to be impregnated in a small 
degree with iron. Vast quantities of ore have been annually 
taken from it and transported to the Foundry. 

Representatives in the Legislature of Massachusetts. 
1719 Thomas Baker. 

From this time to 1731, I have not been able to learn that the 
town was represented. 



1731 


Joseph Dwight 


1760 


Jabez 


Upham 


1732 


Samuel Barnes 


1761 


Jedediah Foster 


1733 


Joseph Dwight 


1762 


u 


a 


1734 


Joseph Dwight 


1763 


a 


a 


1735 


Joseph Dwight 


1764 


a 


a 


1736 


Joseph Dwight 


1765 


u 


u 


1737 


none 


1766 


u 


u 


1738 


Joseph Dwight 


1767 


(( 


it 


1739 


Joseph Dwight 


1768 


cc 


a 


1740 


Josiah Converse 


1769 


it 


it 


1741 


Joseph Dwight 


1770 


It 


a 


1742 


Josiah Converse 


1771 


it 


a 


1743 


Josiah Converse 


1772 


it 


a 


1744 


Thomas Gilbert 


1773 


it 


a 


1745 


Josiah Converse 


1774 


(C 


a 


1746 


Thomas Gilbert 


1775 


it 


a 


1747 


Josiah Converse 


1776 


Benjamin Rice 


1748 


Joseph Dwight ") 
Joseph Dwight ) 


Speaker 






1749 


of the House. 




1750 


Josiah Converse 


1777 


John 


Phipps 


1751 


Joseph Dwight 




James 


Converse 


1752 


none — and in conse- 


Benjamin Rice 


quence of their failure the 1778 


John 


Lyscomb 


tow 


n was fined £ 14. 


1779 


Jedediah Foster 


1753 


William Ayres 


1780 


Dwight Foster 


1754 




1781 


Phineas Upham 


1755 




1782 


Phine 


as Upham 


1756 


Jabez Upham 


1783 


Benjamin Rice 


1757 


Jabez Upham 


1784 


Benjamin Rice 


1758 


Jabez Upham 


1785 


Phineas Upham 


1759 


Jabez Upham 


1786 


Daniel Forbes 






47 



1687 


Daniel Forbes 


1811 


Thomas Hale 




Nathaniel Jenks 




Oliver Crosby 


1788 


Daniel Forbes 




Jabez Upham 


1789 


Daniel Forbes 




Elijah Clapp 


1790 


Daniel Forbes 


1812 


Oliver Crosby 


1791 


D wight Foster 




Elisha Hammond 


1792 


D wight Foster 




Simeon Draper 


1793 


Thomas Kale, jun. 


1813 


Samuel B. Rice 


1794 


Thomas Hale, jun. 




Oliver Crosby 


1795 


Thomas Hale, jun. 


1814 


Seth Field 


1796 


Thomas Hale, jun. 




Oliver Crosby 


1797 


Phineas Upham 


1815 


Elisha Hammond 


1798 


Thomas Hale 




Simeon Draper 


1799 


John Cutler 


1816 


Simeon Draper 


1800 


John Cutler 




Israel Smith 


1801 


John Cutler 




Samuel B. Rice 


1802 


John Cutler 


1817 


Seth Field 


1803 


John Cutler 




Simeon Draper 


1804 


Jabez Upham 


1818 


Seth Field 


1805 


Jabez Upham 




Simeon Draper 


1806 


Jabez Upham 


1819 


Simeon Draper 


1807 


Oliver Crosby 




Seth Field 


1808 


D wight Foster 


1820 


none 




Rufus Hamilton 


1821 


Joseph W. Hamilton 




Oliver Crosby 


1822 


Seth Field 




Isaac Nicholls 


1823 


none 


1809 


Dwight Foster 


1824 


none 




Oliver Crosby 


1825 


Thomas Bond 




Rufus Hamilton 


1826 


Heman Stebbins 




Simeon Draper 


1827 


John Homans 


1810 


Thomas Hale 




Ebenezer Merriam 




Oliver Crosby 


1828 


Alanson Hamilton 




Elisha Hammond 




John Homans 




Rufus Hamilton 








North 


Broohfield. 


1813 


Thomas Hale. 


1821 


none 


1814 


none 


1822 


none 


1815 


none 


1823 


Charles Henshaw 


1816 


none 


1824 


none 


1817 


Thomas Hale 


1825 


none 


1818 


none 


1826 


none 


1819 


non.e 


1827 


Eli Forbes 


1820 


none 


1828 


William Adams 



48 



The following inhabitants of Brookfield have been Senators for the 
county of Worcester in the Legislature of Massachusetts during 
the period designated by the dates connected with their respective 



1780 Honorable Joseph Dorr* 1783. 

1798 Honorable Thomas Hale 1810. 

1808 Honorable Pliny Merrick 1808. 

1815 Honorable Oliver Crosby 1818. 

Representatives in Congress. 

1793 Honorable Dwigbt Foster 1801. 
1807 Honorable Jabez Upham 1809. 

Senator in Congress. 

1800 Honorable D wight Foster 1803. 

S. 

At a legal meeting of the Inhabitants of Brookfield on mon- 
day the 28th day of November, 1748. Then voted Joseph 
D wight, Esq. moderator for said meeting. After along debate 
the question was put by the moderator, whether they would grant 
the prayer of the petition of Captain Witt and others, praying to 
be set off a separate precinct with butts and bounds as set forth 
in said petition and it passed in the negative. — Then voted that 
the petitioners and such others of the northeasterly part of the 
said town, who shall signify their desire under their hands to the 
clerk of the town therefor within three months from this day, 
provided their possessions do not exceed a third part of the said 
town for quantity and quality be set off a distinct and separate 
parish. And then voted to concur with the vote of the Church 
in their choice of Mr. Elisha Harding to be their minister. 

December 22d. Met according to appointment, and after a 
considerable debate thereon voted that there be given and grant- 
ed to Mr. Elisha Harding for his encouragement to settle in the 
Gospel ministry in said town the sum of one thousand pounds 
old tenor currency. 2dly. Voted that there be given and grant- 
ed to the said Mr. Elisha Harding for his yearly salary and sup- 

* At the time of his election he resided in Ward. 



49 

port during the time of his continuance in the ministry aforesaid 
the sum of five hundred pounds old tenor currency accounting 
the same as though to be paid in Indian corn at 20s. per bushel 
and rye at 30s. per bushel, and wheat at 40s. per bushel, and so 
the five hundred pounds to be diminished or increased yearly in 
proportion to the prices of those commodities as they shall 
yearly rise or fall and be commonly bought or sold in said town ; 
provided he release to the town all right to the ministry lands or 
in case he inclines to have the improvement thereof he have 
the liberty thereof allowing and paying as much as any other 
person or persons would give therefor. 



In consequence of the annoyance occasioned by Indians in- 
stigated and employed by the French it was deemed expedient 
to undertake an expedition for the conquest of Canada. Exten- 
sive preparations were made by the inhabitants of this place to 
bear their part in carrying the project into execution. Arms and 
ammunition were procured and stored in the house of General 
D wight, now owned by Mr. Nathaniel Lynde. Winter was re- 
garded as the most favourable time for the expedition, and hence 
a quantity of " snow shoes'''' were made and deposited in the 
same place to facilitate the enterprise.* 

At a town meeting in May, 1776, the question was asked 
"whether the town would support the Honorable Congress in 
the measure, if they for our safety should see fit to declare the 
colonies independent of Great Britain, and it passed in the af- 
firmative almost unanimously," and during the whole of that 
eventful struggle they did not yield to despondency, nor fail to 
redeem the pledge which they had given. 

In 1787, when the insurgents under Shays disturbed the peace 
of the State and threatened to destroy our civil institutions, the 
inhabitants of this place were not uninterested spectators of the 
scene. And though it is admitted, that a portion of them were 
found in the ranks of the insurgents, yet it cannot be denied, that 
the government received from the lemainder a prompt and effi- 
cient co-operation. A company was sent to Worcester to pro- 
tect the Court about to sit in that place. These were soon or- 



* The " snow shoes" remained in the house till after the reduction of Que- 
bec by General Wolfe in 1759 : In the winter of 1761, or 2, several pairs of 
them were borrowed by Mr. Jesse Abbot and his friends to effect the interment 
of a person, who died when there was an unusual depth of snow. 

7 



*->>*JN*A* 



** 



5 



50 

dered to Springfield. Others from the town were added to 
them. The troops from Brookfield on the side of the govern- 
ment consisted of a company of Infantry from the South Parish, 
a portion of Colonel Crafts' Regiment of Cavalry, and a compa- 
ny of Volunteers from the town at large, under the command Of 
Colonel Jeduthan Baldwin, as Captain ; Colonel Banister, and 
Major Goodale, as Lieutenants. This Company, joined to Col- 
onel Crafts' Troop, and conveyed in sleighs, was very efficient. 
They were sent on an expedition to a town, then called Mur- 
rayfield, ta intercept provisions destined for Shays' men 
from Berkshire, guarded by 50 soldiers under the command of 
Colonel Ludington. By a rush on the village at midnight the 
whole party was taken with 14 sleigh loads of provisions and 
safely lodged the next day at Northampton. The next day the 
little remnant of Shays' men were pursued and routed at Peters- 
ham. 

U. 

Before giving a list of the individuals of this town, who have 
received collegiate honors, it is proper to mention the following 
persons, who either resided elsewhere at the time of their grad- 
uation, or did not receive the advantages of literary Institutions. 

Brigadier General Joseph Dwight was the son of Henry 
Dwight of Hatfield, born October 16th, 1703, settled at Brook- 
field, removed to Great Barrington, and died June 9th, 1765. 
He was graduated at Harvard College, 1722. Admitted to the 
practice of Law at Worcester on the first establishment of the 
county, was a member of the Council, Colonel of the 
Militia, Brigadier General in the expedition against Louis- 
burg in the year 1745, and afterwards Judge of the Court in the 
County of Berkshire. See also p. 46. 

Honorable Jedediah Foster was born at Andover, and was 
graduated at Harvard College in 1744, and settled in Brookfield. 
In 1754 he was appointed a Justice of the Peace and of the 
Quorum for the county of Worcester. In 1751 he was appoint- 
ed a Major of forces raised for the defence of the country, when 
threatened with an invasion by the French advancing by way 
of Crown Point and lake Champlain. He was a member of 
the " Provincial Congress" and at the commencement of hostili- 
ties with Great Britain and before the government was estab- 
lished, he was chosen by the people as Colonel of a Regiment. 
In_ July, 1755, he was appointed a member of the supreme 



U$tyL*J& 



51 

Council. He was afterwards a Judge of Probate and also of the 
Supreme Court. In March, 1779, he was a member of the 
convention at Cambridge for the purpose of forming a Constitu- 
tion and a member of the Committee for drafting it. He died 
much lamented October 17th of the same year, aged 55. See 
also p. 46. 

Honorable Joseph Dorr was graduated at Harvard College in 
1752, settled in Ward, and afterwards removed to Brookfield, 
where he died October 31st, 1808, aged 78. He was appoint- 
ed a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in 1778 and resigned 
in 1801. Judge of Probate in 1782, and resigned in 1800. In 
1780 he was chosen senator for the county of Worcester. 

Honorable Pliny Merrick was graduated at Harvard College 
in 1776, was appointed a Justice of the Court of Sessions in 
1867, and in 1808 was chosen a Senator for the county of Wor- 
cester. He died March, 1814 aged 59. 

Honorable Oliver Crosby was born at Brookfield June 3d, 
1766. Though he did not receive the advantages of a public 
education, yet by his solitary efforts, and the excitement produc- 
ed by a society* for mutual improvement, he acquired a strength 
of mind and an acquaintance with facts which qualified him to 
fill several important stations. In 1814 he was appointed a Jus- ~" • i 

tice of the Court of Common Pleas, and in 1815 he was elected 
a Senator for the county of Worcester. He died July 24th, 1818. m • * *>\ 
See also pp. 47, 48. 

Honorable Diederick Leertouwer consul of their High Mighti- 
nesses, the States General of the United Netherlands for the 
States of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, resided many 
years in this town. He died August 24th, 1798, aged 38. His 
family have returned to Europe. 



♦This association was formed chiefly by the influence and enterprize of the 
Honorable Oliver Fiske. Its records are said to be still extant. It is believed 
that a developement of the plan, exercises, and especially of the effects of this 
society would cast light on the subject of modern Lyceums — and furnish youth 
with strong inducements to engage in the business of mutual instruction. 



\ 



52 



GRADUATES AT DIFFERENT COLLEGES. 

H. U. denotes Harvard University. Y. C. Yale College. B. U. 
Brown University. D. C Dartmouth College. U. C. Union 
College. M. C. Middlebury College. W. C. Williams Col- 
lege. A. C. Amherst College. 

Joshua Upham. H. U. 1763. Judge of the Supreme Court, 
in the Province of New-Brunswick. 

Enos Hitchcock. H. U. 1767, D. D. Minister in Providence, 
R.I. 

Theodore Foster. B. U. 1770. Lawyer in Providence R. I. 
and for 13 years a member of the United States Senate. 

D wight Foster. B. U. 1774. Lawyer in Providence and on 
the death of his father the Hon. Jedediah Foster, he returned to 
Brookfield. In 1779, he was elected a member of the conven- 
tion for forming the Constitution. He was commissioned a 
justice of the Peace and of the Quorum in 1788, Special Jus- 
/f\m%n f 1 — *'"" of the Court of Common Pleas, for the county of Worcester 
1792, and in June of the same year, High Sheriff of the Coun- 
ty. In 1792, He was chosen one of the Electors of President 
and Vice-President of the United States. He was commission- 
ed Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for the county 
of Worcester, in July, 1801 ; and continued in that office till 
1811. He was a member of the Council of Massachusetts in 
1818; and died April 29, 1823, Aged 66. See also pp. 46, 47, 
48. 

Tilly Rice. B. U. 1777. Physician in Brookfield, and mem- 
ber of the Massachusetts Medical Society. 

Samuel Hinckley. Y. C. 1781. Judge of Probate for the 
county of Hampshire. 

Peletiah Hitchcock. H. U. 1785. Lawyer in Brookfield. 

Merrick R-ice. H. U. 17S5. Lawyer in Lancaster, and after- 
wards in Harvard. 

Jabez Upham. H. U. 1785. Lawyer in Brookfield. He 
died November 8th, 1811, aged 47. See also pp. 47, 48. 

Amos Crosby. H. U. 1786. Chosen tutor in 1788, and con- 
tinued in office till 1792. Lawyer in Brookfield. 

Benjamin Joseph Gilbert. Y. C. 1786. Lawyer in Hano- 
ver, N. H. 

Oliver Fiske. H. U. 1787. Phvsician in Worcester. Mem- 






53 

ber of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and of the 
Massachusetts Medical Society. Register of Deeds for the 
county of Worcester, from 1816, to 1821. Member of the 
Executive Council from 1808, to 1810, and from 1812 to 1815. 
Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum through the Common- 
wealth, and Special Justiee of the Court of Common Pleas, for 
the County of Worcester. 

George Baxter Upham. H. U. 1789. Lawyer in Claremont, 
N. H. and member of Congress. 

Phineas Walker. B. U. 1790. Judge of Probate, New- 
Hampshire. 

Samuel Fiske. H. U. 1793. Merchant in Claremont, New- 
Hampshire. 

Lovell Walker. D. C. 1794. Lawyer in Templeton. 

Daniel Gilbert. D. C. 1796. Lawyer in North Brookfield. 

John F. Jennison. D. C. 1797. 

William B. Bannister. D. C. 1797. Lawyer in Newbury- 
port. 

Joseph Williston. H. U. 1799. Sailing Master United States' 
Ship, Java. Mediterranean. 

Jonathan Parsons Hitchcock. B. U. 1799. 

Enos Cutler. B. U. 1800. Tutor from 1800 to 1801, 

Samuel Upham. D. C. 1801. 

Charles Gilbert. D. C. 1801. 

Henry G. Rice. H. U. 1802. Merchant in Boston. 

John Reed. Y. C 1803. Merchant in Boston. 

John Foxcroft. H. U. 1807. Merchant in Worcester. 

Harvey Jenks. B. U. 1810. 

Joel Hawes. B. U. 1813. Minister of the First Church in 
Hartford, Connecticut. 

Pliny Merrick. H. U. 1814. Lawyer in Worcester. County 
Attorney. 

Samuel B. Rice. H. U. 1816. Brookfield. 

Alfred Dwight Foster. H. U. 1819. Lawyer in Worcester. 

Henry Upham. H. U. 1819. Merchant, Boston. 

John C. Nichols. Y. C. 1824. Student in Theology, New 
Haven. 

Lucius W. Clark. B. U. 1825. Candidate for the ministry. 

Caleb Sprague Henry. D. C. 1825. Pastor of the congrega- 
tional Church, Greenfield. 

Israel Hamilton. M. C. 1825. Lawyer, Urbana, Ohio. 

Albert Spooner. U. C. 1826. Associate Preceptor in Leices- 
ter Academy. 

Arad Gilbert. Y. C. 1826. Student at Law. 



54 

Calvin Ellis. A. C. 1826. *) Medical 

Albert Williams. A. C. 1826. 5 Students. 
Hollister B. Gilbert was three years a member of W. C. 
and took a dismission in 1825 : Lawyer, Troy, N. Y. 
Josiah Addison Cary. Member of Amherst College. 

Since the incorporation of North Brookfield as a totcn the fol- 
lowing persons have been graduated. 

Thomas Adams. D. C. 1814. Pastor of the Church in 
Vassalboro, Maine. 

Ebenezer Strong Snell. A. C. 1822. chosen Tutor 1825. 
Preceptor of Mathematicks and Natural Philosophy, 1827. 

V. 

The First Church, in Brookfield, was formed October 16th 
1717,and is the oldest of those between Marlborough and the towns 
on Connecticut River. The subjoined covenant is not known 
to have been materially altered since the formation of the Church. 

YOU do now in the presence of the great and holy GOD, 
the elect Angels, and this assembly of witnesses, enter into a sol- 
emn and perpetual covenant, never to be forgotten, never to be 
broken. 

You sincerely and cordially give up yourself to that GOD 
whose name alone is JEHOVAH ; taking GOD the Father to 
be your GOD and Father, GOD the Son to be your only Sav- 
iour and Redeemer, GOD the Holy Ghost to be your Sanctifier 
and Comforter. 

You submit yourself to Christ, and accept him as the Pro- 
phet, Priest, and King of your soul, the Great Head of the 
Church, and the only Mediator of the covenant of grace ; pro- 
mising that by the assistance of the Holy Spirit, you will keep 
the covenant of the Lord inviolably ; — that you will cleave to 
the Lord Jesus Christ by faith and gospel obedience ; — and will 
endeavour to reform your life as to all known sin, whether open 
or secret ; — will live in the conscientious discbarge of all duty 
toward GOD and man ; — walking in all the commandments and 
ordinances of the Lord blamelessly ; — that you will endeavour 
that the inward temper of your mind be conformed to GOD's 
will and word ; — and that you will follow the excellent exam- 
ple which. Christ has set you for the rule of your life. 

You also give up yourself to this Church in the Lord ; and 
freely covenant and bind yourself to walk as a regular member 



55 

of Christ's chorch ; to obey them that have rule over you in the 
L ORD — to read GOD's word, and to live in the practice of social 
and secret prayer, and in a diligent attendance on the word 
preached, and ordinances administered : relying on the grace 
and all-sufficiency of Christ, which are sufficient for you — You 
promise to walk according to what you now know, or shall 
know to be your duty. 

Do you sincerely and cordially consent to the covenant now pro- 
posed ? 

We then receive you as a sincere disciple of Christ, and a 
member of the same church with ourselves, promising, so long 
as GOD shall continue you among us, to watch over you with 
meekness and brotherly love ; and may the Lord add to the 
numbers and graces of his church, and finally bring us all to 
join the general Assembly, and Church of the First-born, whose 
names are written in heaven. Amen. 

Reverend Thomas Cheney was graduated at Harvard College, 
1711. He is described as an acceptable preacher, and as 
sustaining the character of a good man, and faithful pastor. He 
died December 11th, 1747, aged 57. During his ministry the 
the Reverend George Whitfield passed through the town. Ma- 
ny of the people were desirous of hearing him ; but Mr. 
Cheney was exceedingly reluctant. He had heard the calum- 
nies, which were circulated against this man of God, and 
feared, that the tendency of his visit would be to produce irreg- 
ularity. At length, however, he consented that the meeting 
house should be opened. By this time so many people were 
collected, that the house would not contain them and the meet- 
ing was held in a field northwest of the house now owned by Mr. 
Baxter Barnes. The rock on which Mr. Whitfield is sup- 
posed to have stood during his sermon, is often pointed out 
with pleasure. His labors were instrumental of exciting the 
attention and of inducing some of his hearers to work out their 
salvation with fear and trembling. A revival ensued, of which 
Mr. Cheney was an active promoter. Many were added to 
the church. Of these none now remain. The last subject of 
this work of Grace died in 1819, aged 100 years and 7 months. 

V2. 

Reverend Elisha Harding was graduated at Harvard College 
in 1745. The sermon at his ordination was preached by the 



56 

Reverend Nathan Bucknam, pastor of the church in Medway, 
from Coll. iv. 17. It was printed. Mr. Harding is represented 
as " a man of singular probity and solid learning ;" as one, who 
* from a child had known the Holy Scriptures' and made them 
much the matter of his study.' His public ministrations are de- 
scribed " as serious and calculated to edify and benefit his 
hearers." The difficulties respecting the location of the meet- 
ing house were the occasion of his dismission. It is believed, 
that he was not agaiu settled in the ministry. 

V 3. 

Reverend Joseph Parsons was the son of Reverend 
Joseph Parsons of Bradford (Mass.) and was graduated 
at Harvard College with the class of ltf52. He was distin- 
guished for the vivacity of his descriptions, the accuracy of his 
reasoning, and the persuasiveness of his exhortations. In health 
he was a " promoter of peace, and an example of the christian 
virtues." His constitution, never strong, began at length to yield 
to the influence of slow and painful disease. He lingered near- 
ly three years after he became unable to discharge his ministe- 
rial duties, and was a "pattern of patience and resignation." He 
died " strong in faith and full of hope," January 17th, 1771, 
aged 37. 

V 4. 

Reverend Ephraim Ward, was born at Newtown, in 174L 
and was graduated at Harvard University in 1763. In his or- 
dination the Reverend Samuel Woodward of Weston, made the 
introductory prayer. Reverend Jason Haven, of Dedham, 
preached the sermon, from 1 Thess. v. 12, 13. Reverend Eli 
Forbes D. D. made the consecrating prayer. Reverend Isaac 
Jones, of Western, gave the charge. Reverend Jacob Gushing, 
D. D. of Waltham, gave the right hand of fellowship, and Rev- 
erend Jonas Merriam of Newtown, made the concluding prayer. 
The ministry of Mr. Ward was long and peaceful. His charac- 
teristic mildness of disposition, and urbanity of deportment se- 
cured the affection of all with whom he had intercourse. "As 



Mr. Harding built and occupied the house now owned by Captain Perry, op- 
posite to that of Reverend Mr. Stone. 

Mr. Parsons built and occupied the house which was afterwards owned and 
occupied by Reverend Mr. Ward. 



57 

a preacher he was evangelical, plain and practical. He held a 
very respectable standing among his brethren in the ministry 
and in the neighbouring churches. His apparent sincerity and 
piety, the sound sentiments, and practical tendency of his dis- 
courses rendered him acceptable and edifying"* His example is 
remembered almost with veneration. He died at the advanced 
age of 77. f 

Mr. Ward's printed works are, A Sermon at the interment of 
Reverend Nathan Fiske, D. D. 1799. A sermon at the funeral 
of Reverend Josiah Dana, 1801. A sermon delivered at the 
First Parish in Brookfield, on the 23d of October, 1803, being the 
anniversary of his ordination and the completion of the 32d year 
of his ministry. 

V 5. 

Reverend Eliakim Phelps was born at Belchertown March 20, 
1790, and was graduated at Union College in 1814. In his ordina- 
tion Reverend Joshua Crosby of Enfield made the introductory 
prayer. Reverend Jedediah Morse, D. D. of Charlestown, preach- 
ed the sermon. Reverend Daniel Tomlinson of Oakham, made the 
consecrating prayer. Reverend Joseph Pope of Spencer gave the 
charge. Reverend Micah Stone of Brookfield gave the right 
hand of fellowship, and Reverend John Fiske of New-Braiutree 
made the concluding prayer. Mr. Phelps continued in the min- 
istry till 1826, when he received an invitation to become the 
principal of the Female Classical Seminary in this place. He 
accepted the invitation, asked a dismission from his people and 
preached his farewell sermon on the 18th of June. His pasto- 
ral relation, however, was not dissolved till the 25th of October, 
1826. 

V 6. 

The present Pastor was born at Watertown, Conn. November 
17th, 1796, was graduated at Union College in 1821, and during 
the next three years was a member of the Theological Seminary 
at Andover. In his ordination, Reverend Thomas Snell, D. D. 
of North-Brookfield, made the introductory prayer, Reverend 
Heman Humphrey, D. D. President of Amherst College preached 
the sermon from 1 Cor. iii. 6. Reverend Micah Stone of Brook- 
field made the consecrating prayer, Reverend Timothy M. 
Cooley of Granville gave the charge, Reverend Monson C. Gay- 
lord of Western gave the right hand of fellowship, Reverend John 



* Reverend Mr. Stone's sermon at the interment of Reverend Mr. Ward, 
t Newtown in this article should have been Newton, 
8 



58 

Fiske of New Braintree addressed the people, and Reverend 
Eliakim Phelps, late pastor of the Church, made the conclud- 
ing prayer. 

Deacons. 

1717 Henry Gilbert 1776 Joseph Cutler 

1717 Joseph Jennings 1788 Levi Gilbert 

Comfort Barnes 1809 John Ross 

Wright 1809 Samuel Barnes 

John Gilbert 1816 Nathan B. Ellis 

Amos Rice* 1819 Josiah Cary 

1759 Jedediah Foster 1819 John Wood 

1763 Thaddeus Cutler 1819 Alfred White 

1767 Othniel Gilbert 1828 William Spooner. 

1767 Thomas Rich The last four are still in office. 

The record of admissions to the church during the ministry 

of Messrs. Cheney and Harding is lost. 

Admissions by Mr. Parsons 59 

By Mr. Ward 378 

By Mr. Phelps 180 

; By Mr. Foot 95 

Admissions since 1757 712 

Baptisms 1319 

The number of deaths in the First Parish since 1771 is 695. 
Greatest number in one year, 22. Least number, 4, Aver- 
age number 12. 

W. 

The Second Church was formed May 28th, 1752. 

Reverend Eli Forbes, D. D. was born at Westborough in 1726, 
and was graduated at Harvard College, in 1751. " In 1762, he 
went as a missionary to the Oneidas, amongst whom he estab- 
lished a church and instituted a school. On his return he 
brought four Indian youths, whom after educating he sent back 
to instruct their nation." In 1775, he was dismissed by mutual 
consent, and was soon resettled in Gloucester, where he died 
in 1804. Dr. Forbes' printed works are, " A Family Book," 
containing discourses on Subjects Doctrinal, Evangelical, 
Practical and Historical, 1801. Also a few Pamphlets. 

* Transferred to the third church. 



59 



W2. 

Reverend Joseph Appleton, was graduated at Brown Uni- 
versity in 1772. In his intercourse with his people he is repre- 
sented as kind and affectionate ; and in his public ministrations 
serious and ardent. He died July 25th, 1795. 

W 3. 

Reverend Thomas Snell was born at Cummington, Nov. 21, 
1774, was graduated at Dartmouth College in 1795, and receiv- 
ed a Doctorate of Divinity from Amherst College, in 1828. 

Deacons. 

1753 John Cutler 1806 Walter Walker 

1753 Jason Bigelow 1810 Humphrey Gilbert 

1754 Samuel Gould 1814 John Rice 
1764 Reuben Hamilton J830 Tyler Batcheller 
1766 John Bacon 1820 Joseph A. Moore 
1779 Benjamin Adams 

The number of admissions to this church from the settlement 
of Doctor Forbes to that of Reverend Mr. Appletou is 214 

From the settlement of Mr. Appleton to that of Dr. Snell 54 
Since the settlement of Dr. Snell 173 

Number of admissions since 1752 441 

Baptisms 847 

X. 

The Third Church was formed April 15, 1756. 

Reverend Nathan Fiske, D. D. was born at Weston April 6th, 
1733, and was graduated at Harvard College, 1754. He was a 
highly respectable scholar, and an able divine. In theolog- 
ical views " he was in favor of the pure doctrines of Calvanism, 
but called no man master. He took the sacred oracles for his 
guide : — and for investigating and understanding their meaning, 
he ranked high among critics."* He was no less distinguished 
as a philanthropist and a patriot, than as a christian minister. 
November 24th, 1799, he preached from Prov. iv. 18. " But 
the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and 
more unto the perfect day." At night he retired apparently in 
good health, and in his sleep his spirit departed to its eternal 
home. Dr. Fiske's published works are An Historical Sermon 
1775. A Sermon on the Public Fast, April 1776. Sermon on 



* See Reverend Mr. Ward's Sermon at the Funeral of Dr. Fiske. 
Dr. Fiske built and occupied the house now owned and occupied by Rev. Mr. 
Stone. 



60 

the death of Mr. Joshua Spooner, 1778. Sermon at the funeral 
of the Honorable Jedediah Foster, 1779. An Oration on the 
capture of Lord Cornwallis, October, 1781. A Sermon at the 
funeral of Mr. Josiah Hobbs, April, 1784. A volume of ser- 
mons, 1794. A Dudleian Lecture, 1796. Two volumes of Es- 
says originally published in various papers by Dr. Fiske were 
collected and republished after his death, and styled, The Moral 
Monitor. 

Mr. Isaac Averill was next invited to become pastor of this 
church. His ordination was appointed October 1st, 1800, but 
he died suddenly on the 20th of September. 

X 2. 

Reverend Micah Stone was born at Reading September 22, 
1770, and was graduated at Harvard University in 1790. He 
was chosen Tutor in 1794, and continued in office till 1795. The 
sermon* at his ordination was preached by his father, the Rever- 
end Eliab Stone, pastor of the North Church in Reading. In 
1827 his civil contract with the parish was dissolved by mutual 
consent. He remained pastor of the church by terms of special 
agreement, and on the 24th of August, 1827, a new society was 
formed, denominated " The Evangelical Society in South 
Brookfield." With this society the church united by vote, No- 
vember 5th, 1827. 

Deacons. 

1759 Amos Rice 1803 Seth Bannister 

1759 John Hobbs 1814 Daniel B. Grosvenor 

1763 Jabez Crosby 1814 Jonathan Jennings 

1787 Daniel Bullard 1822 Calvin Jennings 

1788 Gad Williston 1829 Henry Reed. 

Number of members originally constituted as the third 
church in Brookfield. 39 

Received by Dr. Fiske 158 

By Mr. Stone 106 

Number of Admissions since 1756. 264 

Baptisms 903 

Y. 

Reverend George R. Noyes, was born at Nevvburyport, March 
6th, 1798, was graduated at Harvard University in 1818, and 
was appointed Tutor in 1825, and continued in office till 1827. 

* It was printed. The text is Phil. ii. v. 



61 

Deacon. 
1827. Heman Stebbins. 
The number of members of the third church, who adhered 
to the Parish is 19 

Admitted by Mr. Noyes 6 

Z. 

Baptist Society. 

As early as the year 1748, the Baptists held meetings in the 
eastern part of the town, and during forty years lectures were oc- 
casionally delivered by travelling ministers. In 1788, Mr. Jere- 
miah Haskell was employed as a preacher, and continued his 
services a few years. In 1795 a commodious meeting house 
was erected, and afterwards well finished. The Society was in- 
corporated in 1800, and employed Mr. Nathaniel Price as their 
preacher. He was succeeded by Reverend Laban Thurber, 
who was ordained in 1801, and closed his ministry in 1805. 
From 1805 to 1815, the pulpit was supplied but a small part of 
the time. The number of members of Baptist Churches in 
the vicinity was only four. In 1815 the society employed Mr. 
John Chase then a licentiate, a3 a stated supply. A revival soon 
began. The subjects of it united with the Baptist Church in 
Sturbridge. In the year 1818 the number of members of Bap- 
tist churches residing in the vicinity was 37. These were con- 
stituted a distinct church and on the 10th of June, the Reverend 
John Chase, was ordained their pastor. " The following winter 
a revival began, and many were hopefully converted, and after- 
wards admitted to the church." The whole number of admis- 
sions is 85 

Present number of members. 65 



A Universalist Society was incorporated in 1812. A meeting 
house was built in 1820. The dimensions of the house are, 
length 43 feet, breadth 40 feet. Reverend John Bisbeejun. was 
ordained in November, 1820, and received an invitation to be- 
come minister of a soeiety in Hartford, Conn, in 1825, which he 
accepted. 

Methodist Societies. 

A Methodist Society was formed in the South Parish in 1826, 
and a meeting house erected the next year. The dimensions of 
the house are, length 45 feet, breadth 30 feet. Number of com- 
municants 69 



62 

• In the year 1798, the Methodists began to hold meetings in 
the north western part of the First Parish. About two years af- 
terwards a church was formed, and in 1823, a meeting house 
was erected. It is near to the line between Brookfield and 
Ware, and in the vicinity of a part of New Braintree and 
Hardwick. The number of communicants in their connexion 
I have not been able to learn. It is thought, however, to be 
considerable. 

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 

There have been two newspapers printed in this town. The 
MORAL and POLITICAL TELEGRAPH : Or BROOK- 
FIELD ADVERTISER. By Thomas and Waldo, 1794. 
The POLITICAL REPOSITORY and FARMERS' JOUR- 
NAL, By E. Merriam and Co., 1798. This paper 
was published but a few years. The printing of Books, how- 
ever, has ever since been extensively carried on by this firm. 



The Worcester and Brookfield Iron Foundry was incorporat- 
ed in June, 1826. 

PROFESSIONAL GENTLEMEN. 

Lawyers. 

Elisha Hammond. Y. C. 1802. Admitted to the Bar at 
Worcester, 1806. 

Jesse Bliss. D. C. 1808. Admitted to the Bar at Worcester, 
1811. 

Heman Stebbius. Y. C. 1814. Admitted to the Bar at Spring- 
field, 1819. 

Physicians. 

Seth Field. Lawson Mi rick. 

David H. Mirick. John Homans. H. U. 1812. 

Aaron Green. 

Justices of the Peace in Brookfield, 1828. 

Seth Field Simeon Draper 

Jesse Bliss Heman Stebbins 

Elisha Hammond Rufus Harrington 

Ebenezer Merriam Skelton Felton 

Joseph W. Hamilton N. M'Clure. 



63 



FEMALE SEMINARY. 

This Institution was incorporated in 1826, and has been for 
the most part in successful operation. Its original design was 
to furnish the means of systematic and thorough female educa- 
tion It is committed to the care of nine trustees and an equal 
number of visitors. 

Trustees. Visitors. 

Rev. Bancroft Fowler Rev. John Fiske 

Mr. Silas Henry Rev. Thomas Snell, D. D. 

Allen Newell, Esq. S. V. S. Wilder, Esq. 

Elisha Hammond, Esq Rev. John Nelson 

Jesse Bliss, Esq. Rev. Joseph Vaill 

Rev. Joseph I. Foot. Rev. Simeon Colton 

Rev\ Augustus B. Reed Abner Phelps, M. D. 

Rev. John Wilder Edwin B. Taiator, Esq. 

Isaac Davis, Esq. 

Teachers in 1828. 
Rev. BANCROFT FOWLER, Principal. 
Mr. William G. Hanaford, Lecturer on Chemistry. 
Miss Ann Grosvenor, Assistant Teacher. 
Miss Lucy Penniman, Teacher in Music. 



The BROOKFIELD ASSOCIATION of Ministers was 
formed at the Reverend Dr. Forbes' in North-Brookfield, June 
22d, 1757. It is now composed of 16 members. 



The AUXILIARY FOREIGN MISSION SOCIETY of 
the Brookfield Association was formed at Brookfield in 1824. 
The amount collected since its formation is $ 4549,07. 



The SABBATH SCHOOL UNION, of Brookfield and the 
vicinity, was formed at Brookfield June 18th, 1828, and is com- 
posed of the Sabbath Schools in Barre, BrimfieM. Brookfield, 
North-Brookfield, New-Braintree, Hard wick, Holland, Oak- 
ham, Palmer, Spencer, Southbridge, Waies, Ware and Western. 



64 

Sabbath School in the First Society. 

This School was first opened in 1817, by a few individuals, 
during the interval of divine service on the sabbath. The next 
year it was attended by about 70 scholars. In the spring of 
1819, the number increased to 180. From this time till 1828, 
it varied from 120, to 150. During the past year it has been 
augmented to 250. Since the commencement of the sab- 
bath school in this place one hundred and fourteen of 
its members have been admitted to the church. Amongst 
these is one Candidate for the ministry, one Evangelist, and one 
Pastor of a church ; two or three are now in some of the 
stages of education preparatory to the ministry, and one (a 
native of the Sandwich Islands,) has returned to the land of his 
fathers to co-operate with those who have gone to carry the 
knowledge of salvation. 



Acknowledgments of obligation are due to the Reverend 
MlCAH StoNE, of BrookfieM, and thp Honorable OLIVER 
Fiske, of Worcester, for their assistance in various notes ; and 
also to Joseph Willard, Esq. author of the History of Lancas- 
ter, for a valuable communication of facts connected with the 
War of 1675. 



To prevent an appearance of anachronism, in p. 29. it is neces- 
sary to remember, that previously to 1752, it was common to 
begin the year on the 25th of March. 



Errata. 

Page 9, Instead of " officers" read affairs. 

Page 19, " for sake of the truth," read, for the sake, &.c, 

Page 22, for " and be", read, that ye be. 



